De_materia_medica

BOOK ONE: AROMATICS

1-1. IRIS

SUGGESTED: Iris germanica [Fuchs, Brunfels, Linnaeus]Iris vulgaris Germanica sive sylvestris [Bauhin]

— German Iris, Blue Flower de Luce, Flowering Ring

PROFESSIONAL USE ONLY

Iris is named because of its resemblance to the rainbowin heaven. It bears leaves like little daggers but bigger,

broader and fatter [or thicker]: the flowers on the stalkare bent in one over against another and have variedcolours for they are white, pale, black, purple or azure[blue]. It is because of the variety of colours that it iscompared to the heavenly rainbow. The rootsunderneath are knotty and strong [or sound] with asweet taste. These when cut should be dried in the shadeand stored with a linen thread put through them. Thebest is from Illyria and Macedonia and the best of thesehas a thick stumpy root, hard to break, of a faint yellowcolour with an especially good scent and very bitter to the taste. It has a sound smell and does not incline tonastiness or cause sneezing when pounded. The secondis from Libya. It is white in colour, bitter to the taste, nextin strength (to the former), and when these grow old they are worm-eaten yet then they smell even sweeter.

They are all warming and reduce the intensity ofsymptoms. They are suitable against coughs and reducethe intensity of thick mucus that is hard to get up. Seventeaspoonfuls of a decoction (taken as a drink in honeywater) purge thick mucus and bile. They also cause sleep,provoke tears, and heal suffering in the bowels. Taken asa drink with vinegar they help those bitten by venomouscreatures, the splenetic, those troubled with convulsivefits or chilled and stiff with cold, and those who droptheir food. Taken in a drink with wine they bring out themenstrual flow. A decoction of them is suitable forwomen’s warm packs that soften and open their privateplaces; for sciatica (taken as an infusion); for fistulas, andall sores and wounds that it fills up with flesh. Applied asan eye salve with honey they draw out particles. Chewed

THE HERBAL OF DIOSCORIDES THE GREEK

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and applied as a poultice they soften swellings and oldhard swellings, and dried they fill up ulcers and cleanthem. With honey they fill up bare bones with flesh. They are good for headaches applied as a poultice with vinegar and rosaceum [1-53]. Daubed on with white hellebore andtwice as much honey they clean off freckles and sunburn. They are also mixed with suppositories, warmcompresses and fatigue removers, and in general they are of considerable use. This is also called iris illyrica, thelpida,urania, catharon, or thaumastos; the Romans call it radixmarica, some, gladiolus, others, opertritis or consecratrix,and the Egyptians call it nar.

1-2. AKORON

SUGGESTED: Acorum officinarum, Gladiolus luteus [Fuchs,Brunfels], Acorus adulterinus [Bauhin], Iris pseudacorus

[Linnaeus] — Yellow Flag, Water Flag

[other usage] Acorus calamus, Acorus aromaticus, Acorus odoratus — Sweet Flag, Sweet Sedge, Myrtle Sedge

see 1-17, 1-114 — calamus

Acorum has leaves which resemble those of iris verymuch only narrower, and the roots are similar only

one wrapped in the other, not growing downward butsidelong in the upper part of the earth. They are sharp tothe taste, distinguished by pale white knots, and notunpleasant to smell. The best is thick and white, notworm-eaten, full and fragrant. Root such as this comesfrom Colchis and from Galatia and is called asplenium.

The root is heating and a decoction of it (taken as adrink) causes an urge to urinate. It is good for pain of therectum, chest and liver; and for griping, hernia andconvulsions. It reduces the spleen, and it helps those sickwith dripping mucus, and those poisoned by animalbites. It is effective in a hip bath like iris for femaleproblems. The juice of the root cleans off things thatdarken the pupils of the eyes. The root of it is alsoeffective mixed with antidotes. It is also called chorus,aphrodisia or the mariner’s root; the Romans call it venerea,and the Gauls call it the pepper of bees, piper apum.

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Iris germanica

after FAGUET — 1891

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Gladiolus luteus, Acorus vulgaris

after FUCHS — 1545

1-3. MEON

SUGGESTED: Daucus creticus, Tordylon, Seseli creticum [Fuchs],Athemanta meum [Linnaeus], Aethusa meum,

Meum athemanticum [in Sprague], Athemanticum meum, Seseli meum — Bald-money, Meu, Spignel, Bear Root

see 3-63

The meum which is called athamanticum growsabundantly in Macedonia and Spain, and is similar in

the stalk and leaves to anethum [3-67], but thicker thananethum, sometimes rising up to two feet, scatteredunderneath with thin, winding, straight, long roots,smelling sweet and warming the tongue. The roots(boiled with water or pounded smooth [or fine] withoutboiling and taken in a drink) lessen pains caused byobstructions around the bladder and kidneys. They aregood for urinary difficulties, a gas-filled stomach,griping, diseases of the womb and pain in the joints.Pounded into small pieces with honey and taken assyrup they help a rheumatic chest; boiled for a hip baththey draw out the blood of the menstrual flow. Appliedas a plaster to the lower part of children’s bellies theyinduce the movement of urine. If more of a decoctionthan is suitable is taken as a drink it causes a headache.

1-4. KUPEIROS

SUGGESTED: Cyperus [Fuchs], Cyperus odoratus radice longa,Cyperus officinarum [Bauhin], Cyperus longus [Linnaeus] Cyperus esculentis, Cyperus officinalis, Cyperus olivaris, Cyperus radicosus, Cyperus hydra — Yellow Nutsedge,

Earth Almond, Edible Cyperus, Rush Nut

Cyperus has leaves like porrum [2-179] but longer andmore slender; and a stalk of a foot high or higher

with corners like juncus odoratus [4-52, 1-16] on the top ofwhich there emerge little leaves and seed. Use has beenmade of the roots of this for as long as the use of the olive.They lie underneath, adhering together — round, black,smelling good, bitter. It grows in clay or shale places aswell as marshy. The best is heaviest — thick, full, hard tobreak, rough with a particular sharpness, such as theSilician and Syrian, and that from the Cycladean Islands.

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It is warming, dilates the narrow openings of bloodvessels and is diuretic. A decoction (taken as a drink)helps those troubled with stones [urinary, kidney] anddropsy and also those bitten by scorpions. Applied as awarm pack it is good for chills of the vulva and itsobstruction, drawing down the menstrual flow. Driedand pounded to powder it is good for an ulcerous mouth, even though the ulcers are erosive. It is mixed with warmcompresses for heating, and is effective for thickeningointments. Some speak also of another kind of cyperus,like ginger, which grows in India, which when chewed isfound to taste bitter like saffron. Applied as an ointment it presently removes hair [depilatory]. The Romans call itthe root of the bulrush, others the bulrush. Some callcyperus, as well as aspalathus [1-19], by the name oferysisceptrum.

1-5. KARDAMOMON

SUGGESTED: Amomum cardamom — Cardamom

see 1-14

The best cardamomum is brought out of Comagene,Armenia and Bosporus. It grows too in India and

Arabia. Choose that which is hard to break, full, tightlyshut (for that which is not is out of date), and which alsohas an offensive smell, and is sharp to the taste andsomewhat bitter.

A decoction (taken as a drink with water) is able toheat. It is good for those who have illness comitralis[possibly from comites — veins, arteries adjacent to nerves — mitralism — lesions on the heart], coughs, sciatica,paralysis, hernias, convulsions and griping, and it expelsrectal worms. Taken as a drink with wine it is good forthose who have defective kidneys and difficulty meiendi[urination]. It is also good for one who has been strickenby a scorpion and for all those hurt by the venom of othercreatures. A teaspoonful (taken as a drink with bark fromthe roots of bay) breaks stones [kidney, urinary]. Taken as inhalations of smoke or fumes it is an abortifacient, anddaubed on with vinegar it takes away parasitic skindiseases. It is also mixed in thick ointments and otherantidotes.

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Cyperus


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Phu vulgare


1-6. NARDOS

SUGGESTED: Phu germanicum, Valeriana vulgaris, Phu vulgare [Fuchs], Valeriana sylvestris major [Bauhin],Valeriana officinalis [Linnaeus] — Valerian [Mabberley]

Jatamansi, Nardostachys jatamansi, Valeriana spica, Valeriana jatamansi — Nardus, Spikenard, Indian Valerian,

Nard

There are two kinds of nardus. The one is called Indian, the other Syrian. Not that it is found in Syria, but

because one part of the mountain where it grows turnstowards Syria and the other towards India. Of that which is called Syrian the best is new, smooth, full of filaments, a yellow colour, very fragrant, and resembles cyprus [1-124] in the smell. It has a short ear, a bitter taste, and is verydrying to the tongue, its sweet smell lasting a long time.Of the Indian, one kind is called Gangetic from a certainriver named Ganges running by the hill where it grows. It is somewhat weaker in strength because it comes out ofwatery places. It is higher and has more ears coming outof the same root, both full of filaments, and one wrappedin the other, with a poisonous smell. That which growsmore on the hill is a great deal sweeter, short-eared,resembling cyprus [1-124] in the sweetness of its smell,and having other qualities in it, like that which issurnamed the Syrian nardus. There is also another kind of nardus called Sampharitic from the name of the place —very little, yet great-eared, with a white stalk sometimesgrowing in the middle, very much like the smell of a goatin scent. This ought utterly to be refused. It is also soldinfused which fault is found out as follows: that the ear ofit is white, withered, and with down on it. Theyadulterate it by blowing stibium [trisulphide of antimonyor black antimony] with water or date wine into it tomake it denser, and so that it may be heavier.

When you are to use it, if any dirt sticks to the roots ofit you are to take it off and sift it, separating the dust,which is good to make washing water for the hands. Theroots are warming, drying and uretic, as a result (taken asa drink) they stop the bowels. Applied they stopdischarges of the womb and the whites [leucorrhoea, amucosal vaginal discharge]. A decoction (taken as a drink with cold water) helps nausea and stomach rosiones

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Valeriana officinalis

after THIEBAULT — 1881

[gnawing corrosion], those troubled with wind, sicknessof the liver or head, and painful kidneys. Boiled in waterand given either as a warm pack or hip bath they healinflammation of the vulva. They are good for superfluous fluids of the eyelids, drying and thickening them. Formoist bodies a sprinkling is effective to take away thesmell of sweat. They are mixed with antidotes. Groundsmooth and made into balls with wine, they are stored for eye medicines in a new jar, which has not been smearedwith pitch.

1-7. NARDOS KELTIKE

SUGGESTED: Valeriana celticus, Nardus celticus— Celtic Spikenard, Celtic Valerian

The Celtic nard grows on the Alps of Liguria in thatcountry called Gallica. It also grows in Istria. It is a

little short shrub that is gathered together with the rootsand made up into hand bundles. It has somewhat longleaves of a pale yellow with a yellow flower. Use is onlymade of the stalks and roots and the sweet smell is onlyfrom them. As a result (having the day before sprinkledthe bindings with water and taken off the earthy stuff),you ought to lay them in a more moist ground (havingfirst laid paper under them), and the next day you oughtto make them clean again, together with the chaff andstrange stuff, for that which is good in it is not taken away by the strength of the moisture. This herb is oftencounterfeited by another herb like it gathered togetherwith it which because of the poisonous smell that it hasthey call the goat, but the difference is easily known forthis herb is without a stalk, whiter, and with shorterleaves, neither has it a bitter or sweet-smelling root as inthe true nardus.

Choose the little stalks and the roots but throw awaythe leaves. If you will put them in storage you must firsthave them ground smooth and mixed with wine. Thenmake them into little balls and keep them in new ceramicbottles, corking them carefully. The best is new, fragrant,full of roots, plump and not easily broken. It is good forthe same things as the Syrian but it is more diuretic andbetter for stomach disorders. Taken as a drink with adecoction of wormwood [3-26] it helps inflammation of

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Sena


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Valeriana officinalis


the liver, jaundice, and gas-filled intestines. In the sameway it is good for the spleen, bladder and kidneys, as well as mixed with wine for bites of venomous creatures. It isused in warm compresses, liquid medicines andwarming ointments.

1-8. NARDOS OREINE

SUGGESTED: Valeriana dioica — Marsh Valerian

Mountain nardus (which is called thylacitis and nevisby some) grows in Cilicia and Syria. It has stalks

and leaves like eryngium but smaller, yet not sharp andprickly. The two or more roots that lie underneath areblack and fragrant like asphodelus, but thinner and a greatdeal smaller. It does not have a stalk, fruit or flower forany long time. The root is good for the same things as theCeltic nardus [1-7].

1-9. ASARON

SUGGESTED: Asarum europaeum — Asarabacca, Cabaret, Wild Nard, Hazelwort

POISONOUS

Asarum has leaves like cissus but much thicker androunder, with a flower between the leaves near the

root that is an azure [blue] colour like cytinus [1-127] orhyoscyamus [4-69], in which lies seed like the kernels ofgrapes. The many roots underneath smell like cinnamon.It loves rough, dry ground. The root of this helps hernia,convulsions, old coughs, difficulty in breathing, anddifficulty in urinating. It expels the menstrual flow, andtaken as a drink with wine it is good for those poisonedby animal bites. The leaves are astringent, and areapplied to help inflammation, pains in the head, newulcers of the eyes, breasts inflamed after childbearing and erysipela [inflammatory skin disease]. The smell inducessleep. Crateuas the herbalist concurs. Many roots lieunderneath — knotty, slender and crooked like grasses,yet a great deal slenderer and smelling good, heating,and biting the tongue considerably. They are diuretic and warming. They cause vomiting and are good for dropsy

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and obstinate ischuria [hip pains? — urine retention?],and they bring down the menstrual flow. Sixteaspoonfuls of the roots (taken as a drink with honeyand water) purge like white hellebore. They are mixedwith ointments. It grows on shady mountains and iscommon in Pontus, Phrygia, Illyricum and Vestinum,Italy. It is also called nardus sylvestris, the Magi call itsanguis martis, the Osthenes, thesa, the Egyptians, cereera,the Romans, perpensa. It is also called baccharis, theThuscans (or Etruscans) call it succinum, some call itnardus rustica, and the Gauls call it baccar.

1-10. PHOU

SUGGESTED: Phu magnum, Valeriana maior, Phu verum [Fuchs]Valeriana hortensis [Bauhin] Valeriana phu [Linnaeus],

Valeriana dioscorides — Phu, Cretan Spikenard,Garden Valerian

Phu (which some also call sylvestris nardus [gardennard]) grows in Pontus, and it has leaves much like

elaphoboscon [2-182] or hipposelinon [3-78], with a stalk of afoot high or more — smooth, soft, inclining to a purplecolour, hollow in the middle and distinguished by knots.The lower parts are somewhat like those of narcissus butbigger, more tender and purple in a pale white. The rootin its upper part is about the thickness of the little finger,and it has filaments like juncus odoratus [4-52, 1-16] orveratrum nigrum [4-151] that grow within one another — a pale yellow, pleasantly-scented and resembling nardus inits smell, with a certain poisonous kind of heaviness.Dried and given in drinks it is warming and encouragesurine, and a decoction of it may do the same. It is good for a painful rectum, encourages the menstrual flow, and ismixed with antidotes. It is adulterated mixed with theroots of ruscus [4-146] but the knowledge of this is easy —for these are hard, not easily broken and without anygood smell.

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Phu verum


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Cinnamomum zeylanicum


1-11. MALABATHRON

SUGGESTED: Trapa bicornis — Ling NutTrapa bispinosa — Singhara Nut

Trapa quadrispinosa — Water Chestnut sp

Limnantheum indicum, Nymphoides indica — Water Snowflake

Some imagine malabathrum to be the leaf of the Indiannardus [1-6] (deceived by the similarity of the smell)

for there are many things like nardus in smell, such as phu[1-10], asarum and neris [?4-82]. But this is not so for it is aparticular herb that grows in the Indian marshes with the leaves swimming on the water like the palustris lens [4-88]in the marshes, with no root. Having gathered it theyimmediately pierce it through with a linen thread, drying it like this, and preserve it. They say that when thesummer heat dries up the water, the earth is burnt alongwith the shoots of it, and unless this happens it willspring up no more. The best is new and a pale whiteinclining to blackness, hard to break, sound, biting thenose with its smell, and the sweetness of its smell is long-lasting. It is like nardus [1-6] in taste without any taste ofsalt. That which is weak with a mouldy scent and breaksinto small pieces is worthless. It has the same propertiesas nardus but does everything more forcibly. Malabathrumis more diuretic and better for the stomach. It helpsinflammation of the eyes pounded into small pieces,boiled in wine, and rubbed on. It is put under the tonguefor sweetness of the breath, and it is put among cloths forit keeps them from moths and scents them sweetly.

1-12. KASSIA

SUGGESTED: Cassia acutifolia — True Senna, Alexandrian Senna

Cassia fistula — Purging Cassia, Golden Shower, Indian Laburnum

Cassia angustifolia — Indian Senna

There are many kinds of cassia growing around Arabia with stores of aromatic things. It has a twig with a

thick bark and leaves like pepper. Choose that which isreddish-yellow, with a good colour, resembling coral —very slender, long and thick, full of tubes, with a biting

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taste, and astringent with considerable heat, aromatic,and resembling wine in its smell. Such, by the inhabitants of the country, is called achy, and the merchants inAlexandria call it daphnitis Above this is preferred theblack kind which is called gizir, inclining to a purple andthick, with a smell like a rose, the most suitable of any forbodily uses; and that formerly spoken of is next to this.The third kind is called mosyleticus blastos. The rest are ofno account such as that which is called aphysemon — black and unsightly and thinly- barked or having it full ofchinks — as well as that which is called kitto and dacar.There is also a certain bastard cassia, amazingly similar,which is found out by its taste that is neither sharp noraromatic, and it has bark adhering to the soft internaltissue. There is also found a broad reed — tender, light,full of branches — which is better than the others. Rejectthat which is a pale white, coarse, smells like a goat, andhas not a thick reed but is coarse and thin. It is diuretic,warming, drying and gently astringent. It is fit for eyemedicines that are made for clearing the sight, and forwarm compresses. It takes away freckles applied withhoney, and encourages the menstrual flow. Taken as adrink it helps those bitten by snakes. It is good too takenas a drink for all internal inflammation, and the kidneys;for women too as hip baths, and as inhalations of fumesor smoke for dilation of the uterus. If there is nocinnamon at hand then twice as much of this mixed withmedicines will do the same things. It is very effective formany things.

1-13. KINAMOMON

SUGGESTED: Cinnamomum zeylanicum,Laurus cinnamomum, Persea cinnamomum — Cinnamon

Canella alba — Wild Cinnamon

There are many kinds of cinnamon with severalnames proper to the countries where they grow, but

the best is that which they call mosulum because in a wayit bears a similarity to that cassia which they call mosulitis.Of this choose that which is new, black in colour,inclining to an ash colour like that of wine, with slendersmooth shoots, full of lasting knots, especially fragrant.For most commonly to discern which is best depends on

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BOOK ONE: AROMATICS

the sweetness of its smell. For that which is the best andthe most special has a smell resembling rue [3-52, 3-53,4-98] or cardamom, and furthermore it is sharp and biting to the taste, somewhat salty with heat, when rubbed noteasily made rough, and when broken downy, withsmoothness between the knots. Test it as follows bytaking a shoot from one root (for this trial is easy), forthere are some fragments mixed in, and at the first trialthe best gives off a sweet taste and fills the nose with thescent of it and hinders discerning the worst. There is alsoa mountain variety — thick, dwarfish, of a very glitteringcolour. And there is a third from Mosul — black, and with a very sweet taste, shrubby and without many knots. Thefourth kind is white, fungal, pushed up to sight, and vileand brittle, with a great root, smelling like cassia. The fifth sort bites the nose with its smell, is reddish-yellow, and its bark is very like red cassia — but it is solid to the touch,not very thin, with a thick root. Of these that which has asmell like frankincense, cassia or amomum [1-14] is theworst in smell. Choose that which is white, rough, andwith a coarse bark, but avoid that which is smooth andwoody around the root as useless. There is anothersomewhat like it that is called bastard cinnamon — vile,with a faint smell and weak strength. It is called gingerxylocinnamomum [xylo — wood], having some similarityto cinnamon. There is also woody cinnamon that haslong and strong shoots but is much inferior in sweetnessof smell. It is said by some that this xylocinnamomumdiffers in kind from cinnamon having another nature.Now all cinnamon is warming, diuretic, softening anddigestive. It draws out the menstrual flow and is anabortifacient, taken as a drink with myrrh [1-73, 1-77,4-116] or else applied. It is also good against beasts thatput out their poison and against deadly poisons[antidote]. It cleans away, heats and thins pus thatdarkens the pupils, and is diuretic. Rubbed on withhoney it takes away freckles and sunburn. It is good forcoughs and mucosal discharges, dropsy, diseases of thekidneys, and difficult urination. It is mixed with preciousointments and in general it is effective for many things. Itis prepared for storage by being pounded into smallpieces, put into wine, and dried in the shade.

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1-14. AMOMON

SUGGESTED: Amomum repens, Elettaria cardamomum, Alpina cardamom — Bastard Cardamom, Lesser Cardamom

Amomum aromaticum [Mabberley] — Bengal Cardamom

see 1-5

Amomum is a little shrub winding out of the woodwithin itself the same way as racemus [1-49], and it

has a little flower like that of the leucoion [3-138] but leaves like bryonia [4-184]. The best is brought out of Armeniawith a good colour, a pale reddish wood and a veryfragrant smell. Because it grows in plain and wateryplaces that from Media is weaker. It is large, a pale green,soft to touch, and full of veins in the wood, resemblingoriganum in its smell. That which comes from Pontus is apale red, neither long nor hard to break, clustered, full offruit, and biting to smell. Choose that which is new andwhite or a faint red, not that which is close and adheringtogether, but that which is loose and diffused, full ofseeds like the kernels of grapes, heavy, very fragrant,without rottenness or mould, and sharp, biting to thetaste, a single and not many colours.

It is warming, astringent and drying. It causes sleepand relieves pain applied as a poultice to the forehead. Itripens and dissolves inflammation and scalded sores ofthe head. It is also good for those stricken by scorpionsapplied as a poultice with basil. It helps gout, and it helpsand soothes inflammation of the eyes, and those withhaemorrhoids in their bowels; and it is effective forfemale problems or damage both as suppositories andbaths. The liquid medicine (taken as a drink) is good forliver disorders, defective kidneys and gout, and it ismixed with antidotes and the most precious ointments.Some adulterate amomum with amomis [Amomis pimenta]that is like amomum yet without smell and without fruit. It grows in Armenia and has a flower like origanum. As arule to prevent deception avoid the fragments andchoose those that have perfect branches out of one root.

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1-15. KOSTOS

SUGGESTED: Costus arabicus, Costus speciosus, Amomum hirsutum, Saussurea costus [Mabberley]

— Arabian Costus, Kust-root [Bedevian], Costus Root

Modern costus is not the same as that known by the ancients — Jaquin, in Loudon.

The Arabic costus is best — white and light, with anoticeable pleasant smell; next is the Indian — full,

light and black like ferula. The third is the Syrian — heavy, the colour of box, with a biting smell. The best is new,white, full throughout, thick, dry, not worm-eaten, notwith a stinking smell but with a biting hot taste.

It is warming and diuretic, expels the menstrual flow,and is good for diseases of the uterus applied insuppositories, as irrigations [douches], or as warm packs.Two ounces (taken in a drink) helps someone bitten by aviper, chest conditions and convulsions. It is given for gas in the stomach with wine and wormwood [3-26], takenwith mead [honey wine] it draws out venom, and takenin water it draws out worms through the rectum. Anointment of it made with oil helps those who have chillsfrom fever before an expected fit, and similarly helps theparalysed. Rubbed on with water or honey it takes awaysunburn. It is also mixed in warm compresses andantidotes. Some adulterate it by mixing in the strongestroots of commagene [1-27]. The difference is easilydiscerned. For this helenium neither burns the tongue noryields a pleasant, strong, biting smell.

1-16. SCHOINOS

SUGGESTED: Schoenus incanus — Bog Rush Juncus conglomeratus, Juncus effusus — Rushes, Sweet Rushes

Juncus arabicus — Rush, Sea Rush

see schoenus 4-52

Juncus odoratus grows in Libya and Arabia and in thatpart of Arabia called Nabataea, and this is the best. The

Arabic is next, but that from Libya is useless. Choose thatwhich is new, red, and full of flowers; which when cut orcleft inclines to a purple colour, is thin, smells sweet like arose when it is rubbed between the hands, and bites the

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tongue with considerable burning. Use the flower, thereeds and the root. It is diuretic, bringing down themenstrual flow, and dissolving gaseousness. It causescatarrh in the head. It is mildly astringent. It has abreaking, digesting and opening strength. The flowers ofit used in drink are good for bloody vomiting and apainful stomach, as well as the lungs, liver and kidneys. It is mixed with antidotes, but the root is more astringentand therefore is given for a squeamish stomach. Oneteaspoonful is good for dropsy and convulsions, and isgiven for some days with the same amount of pepper. Adecoction of it as a hip bath is most convenient forinflammation around the vulva. It is also calledBabylonian [juncus] or teuchitis.

1-17. KALAMOS EUODES

SUGGESTED: Acorus calamus, Acorus aromaticus, Acorus odoratus — Sweet Flag, Sweet Sedge, Myrtle Sedge

Calamus ciliaris — Indian Palm

see 1-2, 1-114

Calamus aromaticus grows in India and the best isreddish-yellow, thick with knots, and when broken

it falls into many pieces. The reed is fibrous, somewhatwhite, and slimy to chew, astringent and somewhatsharp. Taken as a drink it is able to induce the movementof urine. As a result it is good for dropsy, defectivekidneys, slow and painful urination and hernias, boiledeither with grapes or seeds of apium [3-77] and taken as adrink. It draws out the menstrual flow taken as a drinkand applied. It helps coughs inhaled either alone or withresin termininthos [1-91], the smoke taken in at the mouththrough a funnel. It is boiled for women's baths andinfusions, and mixed with warm compresses andperfumes to make them smell sweeter.

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1-18. BALSAMON

SUGGESTED: Opalobalsamum, Balsamodendron gileadense,Balsamodendron opalobalsamum, Commiphora opalobalsamum,

Amyris gileadensis — Balm of Gilead, Balm of Mecca Amyris kataf, Commiphora kataf, Balsamodendron kataf

— Balsam of Kataf

The tree balsamum is noted, similar in size to lycium[1-132] or pyracantha [1-169, 1-170], with leaves like

rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98] but a great deal paler and much more flourishing. It grows only in Judaea in a certain valley and in Egypt. Varying considerably in ruggedness, tallnessand slenderness, the part of the shrub that is thin, withfilaments, is called theriston, which may be because it iseasily mowed because of its slenderness. Opobalsamum isthe juice exuded by the tree when it is cut with iron nailsin the heat of the hottest days. But it drops so little thatevery year they can get no more than six or seven congii[three litre units approximately] of it, and a weight of it issold in that place for double its weight in silver. The bestjuice is new, with a strong smell, pure and not inclining to sweetness, dissolving easily, smooth, astringent, and alittle biting to the tongue. It is prepared in various waysfor there are some who mix ointments with it such astermininthos [1-91], cyprinum [1-65], schininum [1-90],susinum [1-62] or liliaceum [1-62], balaninum [1-40, 4-160]and metopium [1-71], honey, waxy ointments, myrsinum[1-48], or very liquid cyprinum [1-65]. These are easilydiscerned for if the unmixed is dropped on a woollencloth and afterwards washed out it makes no stain or spot on it, but that which is counterfeited sticks. The purewhen put into water or milk is easily diffused and turnslike milk, but that which is counterfeited swims on thetop like oil, turning round or diffusing itself like a star.But in time the pure will also turn thick and test worsethan any. Those are deceived who think that it is purewhen it is dropped into water, goes down to the bottomfirst, and afterwards, easily diffusible, rises up again. Thewood is called xylobalsamum and the best liked is newwith slender stalks — red, sweet smelling, with a smellsomewhat resembling opobalsamum. Suitable use is madeof the fruit too. Choose that which is yellow, full, great,heavy, biting in taste and hot in the mouth, somewhatsimilar in taste to opobalsamum. From the town Petra a

23


Balsamodendron opalobalsamum


seed like hypericum [3-171] is brought with which theycounterfeit this fruit. You may discover this because it isbigger, and empty with no strength, and tastes of pepper.

The juice has the most strength as it heats the most,cleaning away things that darken the pupils, and curingabrasions around the vulva applied with waxy ointments and rosaceum [1-53]. It expels the menstrual flow and theafterbirth, is an abortifacient, and rubbed on dissolveschills and the filthy matter of boils. Taken as a drink it is aconcoction for rejuvenation and moving urine. Givenwith milk it is also good for difficult breathers and thosewho have taken a drink of aconitum [4-77, 4-78]; also forthose bitten by snakes. It is mixed with fatigue removers,warm compresses and antidotes. Generally the juice ofthe balsamum has the most strength, next to that the fruit,but the wood has the least strength of all. Taken in a drink the fruit is good for pleurisy, pneumonia, coughs,sciatica, epilepsy, vertigo, asthma, griping, difficulty inconception, and for those bitten by snakes. It is suitablefor women's inhalations in fumes, and boiled for hipbaths it opens the vulva and extracts moisture. The woodhas the same virtues the fruit has but to a lesser degree.Boiled in water and taken as a drink it helps in digestion,griping, those bitten by snakes, and convulsions, and itexpels urine. With dry iris it is good for wounds in thehead. It also extracts scaly bones. It is mixed for thethickening of ointments.

1-19. ASPALATHOS

SUGGESTED: Aspalathus indica — Indian Aspalathus

Aspalathus is a woody kind of shrub with many prickly thorns — growing in Istrus, Nisyrus, Syria and

Rhodes — which the ointment makers use for thickeningtheir ointments. The best is heavy, and after it has beenharvested inclining to a red or a purple colour, thick,fragrant, and bitter to the taste. There is also another kindof it with scattered bristles or thorns — white, woody,without any smell — which is considered the worst. It has a heating and astringent quality. As a result, boiled inwine and gargled, it is good for an ulcerated mouth andgangrenous ulceration in the genitals. It is infused forunclean discharges and fetid nasal discharges; and put

24

BOOK ONE: AROMATICS

25


Lupus salictarius


26

BOOK ONE: AROMATICS

Crocifolia, Crociflores


into a pessary it is an abortifacient. A decoction stopsbowels, and taken as a drink it stops bloody vomiting,and dissolves painful urination and gaseousness. It is also called sphagnon, or phasganon, the Syrians call it diaxylon,and some, erysisceptron.

1-20. BRUON

SUGGESTED: Lupus salictarius, Lupulus, Humulus [Fuchs, Brunfels], Lupulus mas [Bauhin],

Humulus lupulus [Linnaeus] — Hops

Splachnum and Bryum have been used to name various mosses in modern times[Loudon].

Bryum is sometimes called splanchnon. It is found ontrees such as cedars, white poplars or oaks: the best

grows on cedar, next is that which grows on whitepoplar. That which smells sweetest and is white is thebest, but that which is black is the worst. Bryum isastringent. Used either hot or cold it is good in decoctionsmade for all those disorders requiring bathing around the vulva. It is mixed with ointments made for suppositories,with other ointments for the astringent quality in it, forthe preparation of perfumes, and is put into medicinescalled acopi [to remove fatigue].

1-21. AGALLOCHON

SUGGESTED: Aquilaria agallocha, Cynometra agallocha, Aloëxylon agallochum — Agallochum, Indian Aloe Tree,

Calambac Tree Aquilaria malaccensis — Eagle-wood — Agallochum

fragrant resinous heartwood

Agallochum is a kind of wood like thyine wood that isbrought out of India and Arabia distinguished by

spots of a sweet scent, somewhat astringent to the taste,with some bitterness, and bark like soft skin somewhatover-coloured.

When it is chewed and a decoction of it is gargled upand down in the mouth it causes sweet breath. Thepowder sprinkled on the whole body serves to deodoriseit. It is used in perfumes instead of frankincense. Oneteaspoonful of the roots (taken in a drink) lessens moist

27


Aquilaria malaccensis


disorders of the stomach, its weakness and heat. It is good taken as a drink with water for those who have pains ofthe rectum, for the liver, dysentery and griping.

1-22. NASKAPHTHON

UNKNOWN

nasceus — nascor — plants used by women

Nascaphthum some call narcaphthon and this is alsobrought out of India. It is a bark like the rind of the

mulberry tree, used for a perfume for the sweet smell ithas, and put into artificial perfumes. Taken as inhalations of fumes or smoke it is good for constriction of the vulva.

1-23. KANKAMON

SUGGESTED: Amyris ambroisiaca, Protium icicaraba, Icica icicarabica — Gum Elemi Tree

Cancamum is the oozing of an Arabic tree resemblingmyrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116], poisonous to the taste,

which they use as a perfume. They make a perfume withit for their cloths with myrrh and styrax. It is reported tobe able to make fat bodies lean — a half teaspoonful taken as a drink with water or vinegar and honey for manyconsecutive days. It is given to the splenetic, epileptic and asthmatic. Taken with honey and water it brings downthe menstrual flow, and it quickly takes off scars in theeyes and heals their moisture diluted in wine. For gumsrotten from moisture and toothache it helps as nothingelse can do.

1-24. KUPHI

Cyphi — a perfume

Cyphi is the composition of a perfume welcome to theGods. The priests in Egypt use it abundantly. It is

also mixed with antidotes and it is given to the asthmaticin drinks. There are many ways that the manufacture of it is carried out, including the following. Take one litre ofcyprus [1-124], the same amount of ripe juniper berries,

28

BOOK ONE: AROMATICS

six kilos of stoned plump raisins of the sun, two and a half kilos of resin (cleaned again), a half kilo each of calamusaromaticus [1-2, 1-17, 1-114], aspalathus [1-19] and juncusodoratus [4-52, 1-16], twelve teaspoonfuls of myrrh [1-77,1-73, 4-116], five litres of old wine and one kilo of honey.Having removed the stones from the raisins pound themand work them together with the wine and myrrh.Pound and sift the other things, mix them with these, and let them drink up the liquid for one day. Afterwards boilthe honey until it comes to a glutinous consistency, mixthe melted resin carefully with it, and then havingpounded all the other things diligently together, putthem into a clay jar.

1-25. KROKOS

SUGGESTED: Croci flores et folia [Fuchs], Crocus sativus[Bauhin], Crocus sativus var officinalis [Linnaeus]

— Saffron Crocus

Corycian crocum is the best for bodily use — new andwell-coloured, having somewhat white tendrils,

somewhat long, having all its parts hard to break,without fat, full, colouring the hands, not decayed ormoist, alluring in scent and a little sharper; for that whichis not such is either old or steeped. The next best after theCorycian comes from that tract of land near Lycia; andthat from Olympus [a mountain] in Lycia; then that fromAegis Aetolia. But the Cyrenaican and that fromCenturipinum are the weakest in strength of all in Sicily,all of them being cultivated like vegetables. Nevertheless, because it is full of juice and well coloured, they in Italy(dying thyine wood with it) do use this, and for this it issold at a high rate. For medicine, that which waspreviously described is more effective. It is adulteratedwith a mixture of crogomagma [1-26] pounded or daubedwith sapa [syrup of new wine], lithargyrum [5-102] orplumbago [5-100] pounded together with it to make itweigh more. All this is discerned by the dustiness that isfound amongst it, and by the smell of the boiled downnew wine it has.

It is digestive, softening, somewhat astringent anddiuretic. It causes a good colour, and it is good taken as adrink with passum [raisin wine] against overindulgence.

29


It stops excessive discharges of the eyes applied withwoman’s milk. It is effective mixed with drinks that aretaken internally, and with suppositories and poultices for the uterus and the perineum. It works against venerealdiseases, and rubbed on it soothes inflammation thataccompanies erysipelas [a skin inflammation], and it isgood for inflammations of the ears. They say also that itwill kill one if three teaspoonfuls are taken as a drink with water. In order to pound it smaller it must be dried in thesun in a hot ceramic jar, and it must often be quicklyturned. The root of it (taken in a drink with passum [raisinwine]) causes an urge to urinate. It is also called castor, orcynomorphos, and the Magi call it sanguis Herculis.

1-26. KROKOMAGMA

SUGGESTED: Crocus sativus var officinalis [Linnaeus]— Saffron Oil Dregs

Crocomagma is made from oil of saffron, the aromaticpart squeezed out and made into lozenges. The best

is sweet-smelling, somewhat resembling the taste ofmyrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116], heavy and black, with nowoodiness in it; and which sufficiently diluted is thecolour of saffron — smooth, yellow underneath, stronglycolouring the teeth and tongue and lasting many hourstogether, like that from Syria. It has the ability to cleanand cleans away things which darken the pupils. It isdiuretic, softening, digestive and warming. It somewhatresembles the strength of saffron for it is made from this.

1-27. ELENION

SUGGESTED: Elenium, Inula, Enula campania [Fuchs],Helenium vulgare [Bauhin], Inula helenium [Linnaeus],

Inula campana, Aster helenium, Aster officinalis— Common Inula, Horse Elder, Elecampane

Helenium has narrow leaves like verbascum [4-104],only sharper and somewhat long. In some places it

puts out no stalks at all. The root below is fragrant, great,somewhat sharp, from which for planting (as in lilies orarum) the most pleasant shoots are taken. It grows inhilly, shady and moist places. The root is dug up in the

30

BOOK ONE: AROMATICS

31


Asarum europaeum


32

BOOK ONE: AROMATICS

Cassia fistula


summer, cut and dried. A decoction (taken as a drink)induces the movement of urine and the menstrual flow.The root itself (taken in a syrup with honey) helpscoughs, asthma, hernias, convulsions, gaseousness, andthe bites of venomous creatures, being generallywarming. The leaves boiled in wine are effectivelyapplied to those who have sciatica. The root is good forthe stomach preserved in passum [raisin wine]. Theconfectioners, drying it a little and afterwards boiling it,then steep it in cold water and put it into a decoction theykeep in jars for use. Pounded and taken in a drink it isgood for bloody excretions. It is also called symphyton,persica, medica, orestion, nectarion, cleonia, rubus idaeus orverbascum idaeum; the Romans call it terminalium, others,inula campana, and the Egyptians call it lone.

1-28. ELENION AIGUPTION

UNKNOWN

Crateuas mentions another helenium that grows inEgypt. It is a herb with branches a foot long

spreading on the ground like serpyllum [3-46], its manyleaves around the branches like those of lenticule [?lentil]but longer; the roots a pale colour, the thickness of thelittle finger, thin below but thicker above, with a blackrind. It grows in places bordering on the sea and onhillocks and rocks. One root of it (taken in a drink withwine) is able to help those bitten by snakes.

33


Inula helenium


OILS1-29. ELAION OMOTRIBES

SUGGESTED: Olea europaea, Olea sativa, Olea lancifola — New Oil from Unripe Olives

Oil from unripe olives is the best to use for health.The best is considered that which is new, not biting,

with a sweet smell. This is also effective for thepreparation of ointments. It is also good for the stomachbecause it is therapeutic for the bowels, and when held inthe mouth it contracts loose gums, strengthens the teethand represses sweating.

1-30. ELAION KOINON

SUGGESTED: Olea europaea — Old Olive Oil

That which is the oldest and most fat is the most fit forbodily uses. Commonly all oil is warming and softens

flesh, keeping the body from being easily chilled withcold, making it more ready to perform actions. It is goodfor the digestive system, and has a softening strength,dulling the strength of ulcerating medicines in mixtures.It is given against poisons, taken immediately andvomited up again. A half-pint purges, taken as a drinkwith the same amount of barley water or with water. Sixglassfuls (boiled with rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98] and taken as adrink) are given effectively to those troubled withgriping, and it expels worms. This is administeredespecially for obstruction of the intestines, but the olderoil is more heating and violently dispersing. It is a goodointment to sharpen the eyesight. If there is no old oil athand, new oil must be mixed as follows. Pour it out intothe best jar at hand, and boil it until it is the thickness ofhoney. Then use it, for it is has an equal strength.

34

OILS

1-31. ELAION AGRIAS ELAIAS

SUGGESTED: Olea sylvestris, Olea sylvestris var oleaster— Wild Olive Oil

Oil from the wild olive is more astringent and thesecond choice for good health. It is convenient

instead of rosaceum [1-53] for headaches, and stopssweating and hair falling out [alopecia]. It cleans offdandruff, ulcers that penetrate the head, parasitic skindiseases, and psoriasis, and it keeps grey hair away for along time from those who are rubbed with it daily.

1-32. ELAION LEUKON

To Whiten Oil

Oil is made white as follows. Taking oil which is aclear colour and not over a year old, pour it out into

a new broad-mouthed ceramic jar. Let there be anamount of fifty pints. Afterwards, placing it in the sun,pour it back again with a spoon every day around noon,letting it fall down from on high, so that it may be alteredby frequent rolling and beating, and foam. Then on theeighth day steep fifty teaspoonfuls of clean fenugreek inwarm water, put it thus softened into the former oilwithout straining out the water. Also add the sameweight of pinewood now (as fat as may be and cut intosmall pieces), and let eight more days pass. After this time stir the oil up and down again with a spoon. Finally, if it is white, pour it out into a new jar (first rinsed around withold wine) and store it, having first scattered in eleventeaspoonfuls of the corolla of melilot flowers [3-48] andthe same amount of iris. If it is not (yet white) it must beset out again in the sun and treated until it becomeswhite.

1-33. ELAION SIKUONION

SUGGESTED: Olea europaea, Olea sativa, Olea lancifola, Sicyonium — Sicyonian Oil

We may prepare Sicyonian olive oil as follows. Pourout four and a half litres of new unripe olive oil

35


and the white oil [above] into a broad-mouthed kettlecovered with tin, add two and a quarter litres of water,and boil it over a gentle fire stirring softly. When it hasboiled up twice take it away from the fire, and havingcooled it, skim off the oil with a spoon. Afterwards addother water, boil it again, and repeat the procedure, andthen store it. This oil is mostly made in Sicyonia and istherefore called sicyonium. It is somewhat warming,suitable for fevers and affected nerves. Women use it tohave a clean skin.

1-34. RUPOS

Grime from the baths

The scrapings which are taken up in public baths areable to heat, soften, and disperse fluids, and are good

for splits in the perineum, and for rubbing on joints.

1-35. RUPOS PALAISTRA

Grime from the wrestling school

The dirt or filth from the wrestling school helps thejoints, applied as a warm compress.

1-36. RUPOS GYMNASION

Grime from the gymnasium walls

The filth on the walls of the gymnasium (or that whichis scraped off from statues) warms and dissolves

tubercles [growths] that ripen only with difficulty, and it is helpful for abrasions, the removal of scaliness, and oldulcers.

36

OILS

1-37. ELAIOMELI

SUGGESTED: Olea sylvestris, Olea sylvestris var oleaster— Wild Olive Oil

Elaeagnus angustifolia — Oleaster, Oil Tree, Zakkoum Oil Plant

Elaeis guineensis — Oil Palm

Elaeomeli [Pliny] — Olea europaea— Manna exuded from the branches of the Olive tree

Elaeoptene is the liquid part of a volatile oil, Stearoptene the solid part of a volatileoil, a camphor.

Elaeomeli flows out of a certain stem and root of a plantgrowing in Palmyra, a region of Syria, more thick

than honey and sweet in taste, which (taken as a drink oftwo cups to one half-pint of water) drives dyspepsia andbilious fluids out through the bowels. Those who take itbecome sluggish and deficient in virility, but this shouldnot disturb us. They are to be kept awake and notallowed to be overcome by too deep a sleep.

Oil is also prepared from the fat of the young oliveshoots, the old oil being best — thick, fat, not cloudy. Itwarms, and is effective rubbed on for those things thatdarken the pupils, and daubed on is good for leprosy andpainful nerves.

1-38. KIKINON ELAION

SUGGESTED: Ricinus [Fuchs], Ricinus vulgaris [Bauhin],Ricinis communis [Linnaeus] — Castor Oil Plant,

Palma Christi

[other usage] Croton Oil Plant, Purging Croton, Tiglium — Croton tiglium, Croton acutus, Croton jamalgota, Pavana,

Tiglium officinalis

see 4-164

Cicinum is prepared as follows. Take ripe cicinumseeds (as much as you think suitable) and dry them

in the sun, scattering them along as they used to dograpes until the bark that closes them in when brokenapart falls off; then gathering the flesh or pulp togetherput it into a mortar, and having pounded it carefully putit into a kettle with a tin cover that has water in it, and

37


Ricinis communis


placing fire underneath, make it boil. When you haveremoved all the moisture, take the kettle from the fire and collect the oil that swims on top with a spoon and bottleit. Because the Egyptians use it in great abundance theyprepare it differently. After they have picked them theyplace the seeds into a mill and grind them carefully; thenthrowing the grinds into baskets they squeeze it out witha press. The seeds are in season or ripe when they are ridof the small bladders that enfold them.

This oil of cicinum is good for ulcers that penetrate thehead, parasitical skin diseases, inflammation of theperineum, and obstructions and damage to the uterus, aswell as scars faedas [from goring by horned animals], andearache. Mixed with plasters it makes them moreeffective. Taken as a drink it draws out watery matterthrough the bowels, and it also draws out worms.

1-39. ELAION AMYGDALINON

SUGGESTED: Amagdalinum — Metopium — Almond Oil — Prunus amygdalus var amara — Bitter Almond

RAW SEED OF BITTER ALMOND IS POISONOUS.

Amagdalinum oil or metopium is made as follows.Having picked and dried four quarts of bitter

almonds beat them gently with a wooden pestle in amortar until they are pulped. Pour on them one pint ofhot water and let them absorb it for half an hour, fromwhich time beat it strongly again. Then press it on aboard, squeeze it out, and take that which sticks to yourfingers into a spoon. Afterwards pour a half-pint of waterinto that which was squeezed out, and allow it to beabsorbed, and repeat as before. Four quarts of seeds make one half-pint of oil. It is effective against womb pains,constriction, the womb turning around, and things thatdarken the same places, as well as headaches, earproblems, resonance, and tinnitus. It helps inflammationof the kidneys, illness meientes [urination], stones[urinary, kidney], asthma and splenitis. Furthermore itremoves spots from the face, sunburn, and wrinkles onthe skin mixed with honey, the root of lily and Cyprianrosewax. With wine it mends moisture of the pupils ofthe eye, and removes penetrative ulcers and dandruff.

38

OILS

39


Ricinis communis


40

OILS

Raphanus sativus


1-40. BALANINON ELAION

SUGGESTED: Myrobalan citrina, Terminalia citrina— Hara Nut Tree

Quercus infectoria, Quercus lusitanica — Acorns from Quercusspecies — Gall Oak, Dyer’s Oak, Nut Gall Oak

Balanites aegyptica, Xymenia aegyptica — Thorn Tree, Egyptian Balsam, Zachum Oil Tree

see 4-143, 4-160

In the same way oil balaninum is prepared. It hasstrength to clean spots, freckles, down on the face, and

darkening cataracts and it purges the intestines. It is badfor the stomach. Poured in with goose fat it is good forearache, ear resonance and tinnitus.

1-41. ELAION SESAMINON KAIKARUINON

SUGGESTED: Sesamum indicum, Sesamum orientale, Sesamum oleiferum — Sesame Oil, Sesame [seeds], Gingelly,

Gingili

Carya — Juglans regia — Walnuts Nux pontica, Nux avellana, Corylus avellana [Linnaeus]

— Hazelnuts

Both sesaminum and caryinum oil which is made fromcarya kernels are prepared in the same way as those

mentioned above. They have the same strength asbalaninum [1-40].

41


Balanites aegyptica


1-42. UOSKUAMINON ELAION

SUGGESTED: Hyoscyamus flavus [Fuchs], Hyoscyamus niger [Linnaeus] — Henbane, Hen Bell,

HyoscyamusHyoscyamus albus — White Henbane,

Oil of Henbane

POISONOUS

Hyosciaminum is prepared as follows. Take dry newwhite seed, and having pounded it steep it in hot

water as was previously described in amagdalinum [1-39].Then place it in the sun and mix it until it turns black andhas a strong smell. Then, having strained it through alinen cloth and having squeezed it, store it. It is good forearaches, and is mixed with suppositories, having asoftening quality.

1-43. KNIDELAION

SUGGESTED: Gnidium, Cnidium, Daphne gnidium, Thymelaea hirsuta — Oil from Grains, Seeds of Gnidium,

Spurge Flax

see 4-173

Gnidium is prepared in the same way from rubbingsof grains [seeds] that have been pounded and

pilled. Taken as a drink it is able to loosen the bowels.

1-44. KNIKELAION

SUGGESTED: Cartamus, Crocus hortensis [Fuchs],Carthamum officinarum, Cnicus sativus [Bauhin],

Carthamus tinctorius [Linnaeus] — Safflower, Saffron Thistle[Mabberley]

see 4-119, 4-190

In the same way cnicinum is made which has the sameuses as the oil from rubbed grain [above] but is

somewhat weaker.

42

OILS

43


Elenium


44

OILS

Castanea vulgaris — Chestnut


1-45. RAPHANELAION

SUGGESTED: Radix, Radicula [Fuchs, Brunfels, Linnaeus],Raphanus sativus — Radish Seed Oil,

Common Cultivated Radish

Raphaninum is made from its own seed, as are the rest.It is good for those who by some sickness have got

psoriasis, and it cleans away rough skin around the face.Those in Egypt use it, boiling it with their sauce.

1-46. MELANTHELAION

SUGGESTED: Melanthium hortense primum, Schwartz Kommich [Fuchs], Nigella sativa [Linnaeus]

— Common Fennel Flower, Black Cumin

Melanthium alterum Damascenum vocatum, Nigella hortensis altera [Fuchs], Nigella angustifolia [Bauhin],

Nigella damascena [Linnaeus] — Love in a Mist, Devil in a Bush

Melanthium sylvestre, Cuminum sylvestre alterum [Fuchs],Nigella arvensis [Linnaeus]

POISONOUS

Melanthium has the same uses, and is prepared likeraphaninum [1-45].

1-47. SINAPELAION

SUGGESTED: Napy, Sinapis primum genus [Fuchs], Sinapi hortense [Brunfels], Brassica nigra,

Sinapis sinapioides, Sinapis nigra — Black Mustard

Sinapis alba [Linnaeus], Leucosinapis officinalis, Brassica alba — White Mustard, Salad Mustard, Cultivated Mustard,

Mustard Oil

Sinapinum is prepared by grinding the mustard seedsmall and steeping it in warm water, then mixing the

oil with it and straining it out together. It is good fordiseases of a long duration, drawing out faulty fluidsfrom far within.

45


1-48. MURSINELAION

SUGGESTED: Myrtus communis var romana — Broad-leaved Myrtle

see 1-155, 4-146, 4-165b

Myrsinum oil is prepared as follows. Take the tenderleaves of black myrtle (whether wild or planted),

beat them, pressing out the juice, then mixing the sameamount of unripe olive oil with the juice warm it overcoals until it is boiled together, spooning up that whichfloats on top. An easier method of preparation is to boilthe tenderest leaves (after they have been pounded) inwater and oil, and to skim off the oil that swims on thetop. Another way is (having laid the leaves in the sun) tosteep them in oil. There are some thicken the oil first withmalicoria (?), cupressus [1-102] and juncus odoratus [4-52,1-16].

The most effective oil inclines towards bitterness in itstaste, and is oily, green and transparent, and smells ofmyrtle. It is astringent and hardening; as a result it iseffective mixed with medications for hardening. It isgood for burns, penetrative ulcers in the head, dandruff,pimple eruptions, chapped skin, galls (?), joints, andjoints loosening. It represses sweats, and is good for allthings that need an astringent or thickening.

1-49. DAPHNELAION

SUGGESTED: Laurel Oil — Laurus-Alexandrina [Fuchs],Daphne-Alexandrina [Brunfels], Ruscus hypoglossum

[Linnaeus], Ruscus hippoglossum, Uvularia, Baslingua — Laurel of Caesar [Mabberley], Horse Tongue,

Double Tongue Laurus nobilis — Sweet Bay, Laurel, Roman Laurel

Laurinum is made from overripe bay berries (which are ready to fall from the tree) boiled in water, because

they send up a certain kind of fat from the husk enclosing them, which is squeezed out by hand and scooped up inspoons. Some first thicken oil of unripe olives withcypress, juncus odoratus [4-52, 1-16] and calamus [1-17],and after this (throwing in the tender leaves of bay) boilthem together. There are some who add bay berries to

46

OILS

this until it smells enough of bay; some also mix in styrax[1-79] and myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116]. The best bay for themanufacture of oil is mountainous and broad-leaved.The best oil of bay is new and greenish in colour — verybitter and sharp. It is warming and softening, openingblood vessels that were shut, and overcomingexhaustion. It is good for all infirmities around thetendons, earaches, and for those troubled with drippingmucus. It is an excellent ointment, as good as anythingelse for those with kidneys inflamed because of cold.Taken as a drink it is nauseating.

1-50. SCHINELAION

SUGGESTED: Schinus molle, Pistacia lentiscus, Bursera gummifera, Sideroxylon mastichodendron

Mastic Tree, Pepper Tree, Herb Mastic, Oil of Mastic

Schinus molle is now an American genus; Bursera gummifera is now a West Indian tree [Loudon].

Terminthinus — [old English] Termenteyne — Turpentine Tree — Pistacia terebinthus

Schininum [lentiscinum] is made from ripe berries thesame as oil of bay, and thickened before use. It heals

parasitic skin diseases on beasts of burden and dogs[veterinary]. It is effective mixed with suppositories,remedies to remove fatigue, and medications for leprosy.It also stops sweating.

Terminthinos [1-91] is also made the same way. It coolsand binds.

1-51. MASTICHELAION

SUGGESTED: Schinus molle, Pistacia lentiscus, Bursera gummifera, Sideroxylon mastichodendron

— Mastic Tree, Pepper Tree, Herb Mastic, Oil of Mastic

Mastichinum is made from mastic pounded into small pieces. It is good for disorders in the womb —

gently warming, astringent, softening. It is also good laidon the stomach for hardened swellings, for theabdominal cavity and dysentery; and for cleaning awayspots on the face, and causing a good colour. The best iscompounded in the isle of Chios.

47


Bursera gummifolia


OINTMENTS 1-52. MURON SUNTHESIS

MEDICINAL OINTMENTS

Seeing that ointments also are effective for somediseases, either mixed with other medicines, dropped

on, poured on, or smelled, we thought it logical to makethis suggestion: that those who test them must determine whether the ointments smell exactly of those herbs fromwhich the mixture is made. This method of judgement isthe best. Yet this is not observed in some ointmentsbecause of the prevalence of stronger ingredients, as inamaracinum [1-68], crocinum [1-64] and telinum [1-57], aswell as some others, which are tested by sampling themoften.

1-53. RHODINON

SUGGESTED: Rosa, Rosa hortensis et sylvestris [Fuchs],Rosa rubra [Bauhin], Rosa gallica [Linnaeus]

— Common Rose, French Rose — Oil of Roses

Rosaceum oil is made as follows. Take five poundseight ounces of juncus odoratus [4-52, 1-16] and

twenty pounds five ounces of oil; bruise the juncus andsteep it in water, then boil it, stirring it up and down.Strain it out into the twenty pounds five ounces of oil, put a thousand counted dry rose petals into it, and havingrubbed your hands with honey stir the mixture up anddown (every now and then squeezing the petals gently),then after leaving them for a night, press them out. When the dregs have sunk down, change the receiving jar, andstore it in large bowls wiped with honey. Then throwingthe strained roses in a small washing jar pour on themeight pounds and five ounces of the thickened oil andstrain them out again, and this will be the secondpressing; and if you will, for a third or fourth time pouroil in again on the roses, and strain them out again. A first, second, third and fourth oil are made. Each time rub theinside of the jars with honey. If you mean to make asecond insertion put the same number of new dry rose

48

OINTMENTS

49


Ocimum maius


50

OINTMENTS

Cotonea malus


petals into the oil that was first pressed out, and stirring itup and down with hands smeared with honey, press itout; and repeat in the same way the second, third andfourth time, pressing it out again; and as often as you dothis put in fresh roses (paring off their stems) for this wayit becomes stronger. The oil can take this addition of roses seven times, but by no means any farther. Also rub thepress with honey. You ought to carefully separate the oilfrom the juice for if even a little of it is left in there it willcorrupt the oil. Some use the roses alone, cut off theirstems or whites, and infuse them by placing them in thesun, having the amount of half a pound of petals to onepint of oil, changing the petals every eight days, andleaving them in the sun for forty days, and then storing it. Some first thicken the oil by adding calamus [1-17] andaspalathus [1-19]. Some include anchusa [4-23 to 4-26] togive it a pleasant colour, and salt so that it does not spoil.

It is astringent and cooling, good for cleaning andmixing with poultices. Taken as a drink it loosens thebowels and cools a heated stomach. It fills up hollowboils, and makes soothing medications for malignancies.It is a rub for penetrative ulcers, catarrh in the head, andheated eruptions; and a lotion for headache as well as amouth rinse for the start of a toothache. It is good rubbedon for eyelids that have grown hard, and it is good givenas a suppository for rosiones [gnawing corrosion] orirritations of the intestines and the vulva.

1-54. ELATINON

SUGGESTED: Elatinum, Ecballium elaterium, Ecballium agreste,Momordica elaterium, Elaterium officinale — Oil of Cucumber,

Squirting Cucumber

Having broken and bruised the elaterium, put it into awashing jar, and pour on it oil of unripe olives. Let

it remain for three days, and then take it up into a basketand press it out. Use the same weight of each ingredient,then, having stored it in a clean jar, use it. It has the sameuses as the rosaceum [1-53] but it does not soothe thebowels.

51


1-55. MELINON

SUGGESTED: Cotonea malus, Cydonia [Fuchs], Mala cotonea minora [Bauhin], Pyrus cydonia [Linnaeus],

Cydonia oblonga, Cydonia vulgaris — Quince

Oil of melinum is prepared as follows. Having mixedtogether six pints of oil and ten pints of water, add

three ounces of bruised spatha [1-150] or elaterium [4-155]and one ounce of juncus odoratus [4-52, 1-16], and afterletting them lie together for a day, boil them. Afterwards,(having strained out the oil) put it into a broad-mouthedjar, lay over it a mat of reeds or some thin covering andplace the fruit of cydonia on top of it, covering them withcloths. Allow them (to stand thus) for many days until the oil has extracted the strength from the quinces. Somecover the fruit with cloths for ten days so that the sweetsmell may be kept in and not breathe out, afterwards they steep them in oil two days and two nights, and then press it out and bottle it. It is astringent and cooling — effective for scabies [itchy parasitical disease], ulcers, dandruff,chilblains and shingles [herpes]. Used as drops it is goodfor open disorders in the vulva, and given as asuppository it stops urinary urgency, and repressessweating. It is taken as a drink against vomiting fromingesting dried beetles [2-65], bupressedes [2-66] andpinorum [1-86]. The best is considered to smell like thefruit of cydonia.

1-56. OINANTHINON

SUGGESTED: Cissus digitata — Wild Grape, Sorrel Vine Vitis labrusca — Wild Grapes

Oenanthemum. Having dried the sweet-smellingshoots or buds of the wild grape, put it into oil of

unripe olives and stir it around, churn it upside downand leave it so for two days. Afterwards strain it out andstore it. It is astringent, equivalent to rosaceum [1-53],except it neither loosens nor softens the bowels. Thatwhich carries the smell of the shoots or buds is the mostapproved of.

52

OINTMENTS

53


Prunus amygdalus


54

OINTMENTS

Quercus robur


1-57. TELINON

SUGGESTED: Foenograecum, Foenumgraecum [Fuchs],Foenumgraecum sativum [Bauhin],

Trigonella foenum-graecum [Linnaeus], Telinum — Oil of Fenugreek

Take five pounds of fenugreek, nine pounds of oil, one pound of calamus [1-17] and two pounds of cyprus

[1-124], steep the herbs in the oil for seven days stirring itup and down three times a day, and afterwards press itout and store it. There are some who use cardamomum[1-5] instead of calamus [1-17], and opobalsamum [1-18]instead of cyprus, and steep them together. Others firstthicken the oil with these, and afterwards steep thefenugreek in there and strain it out. It is able to softenmature abscesses, and is especially good for hard lumpsaround the uterus, and for obstinate body cavities,dripped in when it becomes dry around those places, themoist fluids having been formerly evacuated. Administer it for inflammation in the perineum, and for theunproductive urge to evacuate. It cleans dandruff andpenetrative ulcers in the head, and it is good for burnsand chilblains. It gets off spots of sunburn with wax, andit is mixed with medicines made to clean the face. Choosethat which is new, scours the hands, is bittersweet in taste and does not smell too much like fenugreek, for that isthe best.

1-58. SAMPSUCHINON

SUGGESTED: Amaracus, Maiorana [Fuchs], Majorana vulgaris[Bauhin], Sampsuchum, Sampsucum, Origanum majorum

[Pliny], Origanum majorana [Linneaus], Origanum majoranoides, Majorana hortensis

— Sweet Marjoram, Knotted Marjoram

Take an amount each of serpyllum [3-46], cassia,abrotanum [3-29], flowers of sisymbrium [2-155], leaves

of myrtle [1-55, 4-146] and sampsuchum that by guess youshall think suitable, having respect for the strength ofeach. Beat all these together, and pour on them unripeolive oil but not enough to overwhelm the strength ofthose things which are steeped in it, and so leave it alonefor four days. Afterwards strain it and take the same

55


amount of the same fresh herbs again and steep them foranother four days to make it stronger. Choosesampsuchum that is a black, greenish colour, stronglyscented and quite sharp. This oil is warming and sharp,reducing the intensity of symptoms. It is good for theclosing up and distortions of the vulva, extracts themenstrual flow and afterbirth, is an abortifacient, andrefreshes constriction of the vulva. It lessens pains of theabdomen and groin. It is best used with honey since ithardens places with excessive astringency, and rubbedon it disperses exhaustion. It is effectively mixed withpoultices for tetanus and for other kinds of convulsions.

1-59. OKIMINON

SUGGESTED: Ocimum exiguum, Ocimum minutum, Ocimum mediocre, Ocimum magnum [Fuchs], Ocimum basilicum,

Basilicum — Oil of Basil — Basil, Sweet Basil

Take twenty pounds of oil and eleven pounds eightounces of basil in weight, take off the leaves, steep

them in the oil for a night and a day, then press it out andbottle it. Then take the leaves out of the basket, pour inthe same amount of oil on them again and press it out.This is called that which follows, for it does not allow athird steeping. Then take the same amount of new basiland steep it again as described in instructions aboutrosaceum [1-53]. Then pour in the oil from the firststeeping, let the leaves lie and soak in there an equal time, and afterwards strain it out and bottle it. If you wish tosteep it three or four times always put in new basil. It may also be made from unripe olives but the other way is best.

It does the same things as sampsuchinum [above] butnot as effectively.

1-60. ABROTONINON

SUGGESTED: Abrotonum foemina [Fuchs], Absinthium ponticum[Bauhin], Artemisia pontica [Linnaeus], Abrotanum mas

[Linnaeus], Artemisia abrotanum, Abrotoninum — Southernwood — Oil of Southernwood

Abrotoninum is made as follows. Take eight pounds ofthe leaves of abrotanum [3-29] and eleven pounds

56

OINTMENTS

57


Lilium candidum


58

OINTMENTS

Ambrosia maritima


five ounces of the oil aromatized with the ingredientsthat go into cyprinum [see 1-65], and having steeped them in oil a day and a night, strain it out. If you wish to make it last a long time throw away the first leaves, put in otherleaves, steep them too, and strain it out. It is warming and good for closing up or hardness in the vulva, andexpelling the menstrual flow and afterbirth.

1-61. ANETHINON

SUGGESTED: Anethum hortense [Bauhin], Anethum graveolens[Linnaeus], Peucedanum graveolens, Selinum athenum,

Pastinaca athenum, Anethinum — Dill, Oil of Dill

Steep eleven pounds and eight ounces of the flowersof anethum for one day in eight pounds nine ounces of

oil, then squeeze it out by hand and store it. If you wish to make a second steeping add new flowers of anethum. Itcan soothe distress around the vulva and open it and iseffective for hard lumps on the gums, warming anddissolving weariness, and is good for sores of the joints.

1-62. SUSINON

SUGGESTED: Lilium, Lilium album [Fuchs], Lilium candidum [Linnaeus] — Madonna Lily

[other usage] Crinum toxicarium, Crinum asiaticum — White Lily, Lily Asphodel, Poison Bulb

see 3-116

POISONOUS

Susinum is also called lilinum or liliaceum and is made as follows. After you have mixed together nine pounds

five ounces of oil, five pounds three ounces of calamus[1-17] and five ounces of myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116] infragrant wine, boil it, let the oil run through a strainer,pour it out again, and add three pounds six ounces ofcardamom (bruised and steeped in rain water). Allow itto be sufficiently steeped together, then strain it out. Take three and a half pounds of this thickened oil and athousand (counted) lilies, and having stripped off theirleaves, put them in a broad but not deep jar. Pour in theoil, stir it around with your hands (that have been

59


previously rubbed with honey) and let it stand for a dayand a night. The next morning pour it into a cuppedstrainer and presently (when it is strained) separate theoil on top from the water that is strained out with it,because it will not permit the water with it, like rosaceum[1-53], but when heated together it grows hot again and is spoiled. Pour it out again into other jars smeared withhoney, first sprinkling a little salt in there and takingaway the filth carefully as it gathers together. Take thestrained aromatic stuff out of the basket, and placing itinto a broad jar pour in on it again the same amount ofthe aromatised oil as at first. Put in ten teaspoons ofbruised cardamom, stir it well with your hands, and afterwaiting a little strain it out, removing the filth off fromthat which runs out. Pour on the oil again a third time,repeat [the procedure] throwing in the cardamom andthe salt with it, and press it out (first smearing your hands with honey). That which was the first strained out will bethe best, the second the next after that, and the third theleast. Then take another thousand lilies and strip off theirleaves, lay them in order and pour on them the oil thatwas first strained out. Work methodically, doing thesame things over again as you did at first, minglingcardamom [as before and afterwards straining it out]. Dothe same the second and the third time, placing into it the cardamom, afterwards straining it out and repeating theprocedure. As often as you steep fresh lilies in there, (byso much) you shall have the ointment stronger. Finallywhen it seems to you that you have enough, mix withevery preparation seventy-two teaspoons of the bestmyrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116], ten teaspoons of crocus andseventy-five teaspoons of cinnamon. Some take the sameamount of crocus and cinnamon (having pounded andsifted it), put it into a jar with water, and pour on it theointment from the first pressing: afterwards (leaving italone a little while) they put it into little dry jars (firstsmeared around with gum or myrrh and saffron andhoney diluted with water). Do the very same things tothe second and third pressings. Some make it withnothing else but oil balaninum [1-40, 4-160] or some otheroil and lilies. The oil which is made in Phoenicia and inEgypt is thought to excel most, the best being that whichsmells [most] of lilies.

It is warming and softening — opening closures andinflammation around the vulva — and in general it is the

60

OINTMENTS

61


Lilium album


62

OINTMENTS

Cucumer sylvestris


most effective of all for female ailments. It is also good forscaly scalp, varicose veins, dandruff, and feruidae [fromfever] eruptions. It quickly alters vibices [marks fromblood under the skin during a fever] and makes them thesame colour as the rest of the skin. Generally it is verypurifying. Taken as a drink it expels bile through thebowels, and induces the passage of urine; but it hurts thestomach and causes nausea.

1-63. NARCISSINON

SUGGESTED: Narcissus odorus, Narcissus calathinus, Narcissus campernelli — Campernelle Jonquil Narcissus pseudo-narcissus, Narcissus sylvestris

— Wild Narcissus, Daffodil, Lent Lily, Lent Rose Narcissus poeticus, Narcissinum — Poet’s Narcissus,

Pheasant’s Eye — Oil of Narcissus

Oleum narcissinum is thickened as follows. Take thirty pounds five ounces of washed oil and six pounds of

aspalathum [1-19] (pounded and steeped in water). Mix itwith a third of the oil and boil it. Take out the aspalathumand put in five pounds eight ounces of calamus [1-17] andpounded sifted grains of myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116](steeped in old fragrant wine). Mix it and boil it and when it has boiled with these ingredients take it off. When it iscold strain out the oil, then take the oil and pour it outinto a jar and add a large amount of narcissus flowers,stirring it up and down for two days. Then as we said insusinum [1-62], strain it out and repeatedly pour it outfrom one jar to another, as it is also quickly spoiled. It isgood for damage in the vulva, softening hardness andclosures around it. It causes headaches, however.

1-64. KROCINON

SUGGESTED: Croci flores et folia [Fuchs], Crocus sativus[Bauhin], Crocus sativus var officinalis [Linnaeus], Crocinum

— Saffron Crocus — Oil of Crocus

POISONOUS

Intending to prepare crocinum you must first of allthicken the oil as was explained in susinum [1-62] with

the very same weight and amount. Take therefore three

63


and a half pounds of the thickened oil of susinum [1-62],put in there eight teaspoons of crocus and stir it up anddown often each day, doing this continuously for fivedays together. On the sixth day pour out the oil, separateit from the crocus, pour in again on the same crocus thesame amount of new oil and stir it up and down forthirteen days. Then having poured it all back again, mixwith it forty teaspoons of myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116](pounded and sifted), stir it around well in a mortar, andbottle it. Some use as much aromatised oil for crocinum asthey do for cyprinum [1-65]. The best smells abundantly of crocus and this is fit for medicinal use, and the next bestsmells of myrrh. It is warming and sleep-inducing, thus itis often good for an unsound mind when [the head is]moistened with it (or if it is merely smelled) or if thenostrils are rubbed with it. It induces movement of pus,cleans boils, and is good for hardness in the uterus (andclosure) and other ill afflictions there, with wax, crocus,marrow, and double the oil. It digests, softens, moistensand lessens. It is also good for glaucoma of the eyesrubbed on with water. This is the same as butyrinum,onychinum and styracinum — differing only in name buthaving the same preparation and effect.

1-65. KUPRINON

SUGGESTED: Lawsonia alba, Lawsonia inermis Cyprinum — Cyprus, Henna Shrub, Egyptian Privet — Oil of Cyprus

Take one part washed oil of unripe olives and a partand a half of rainwater. Pour out some of this into the

oil and mix the other with the aromata [fragrant herbs]that are to be put in. Afterwards take five and a halfpounds of aspalathus [1-19], six and and half pounds ofcalamus, one pound of myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116], threepounds nine ounces of cardamom and nine pounds fiveounces of oil. Having bruised and steeped the aspalathusthrow it in the water, and boil it with the oil until it boilstogether. Then steep the myrrh in old fragrant wine,steep the bruised calamus together with the myrrh, andtaking out the aspalathus, put in this mixture of calamus.When it has boiled together take down the kettle, strainout the oil and pour it on the bruised cardamom and thatwhich was steeped in the rest of the water, and stir it

64

OINTMENTS

65


Crinum purpurescens

from ENGLER-PRANTL — 1897

66

OINTMENTS

Lilium purpureum


around with a continuous splashing — not stopping until it is cold. Afterwards strain out the oil and put forty-sixpounds eight ounces of cyprus [1-65] flowers intotwenty-eight pounds of oil, allow them to be steeped,and strain them through a wicker basket. If you wouldhave more of it place in again the same amount of newflowers, strain it out in same way again, and if you willyou may steep it a third and a fourth time for in this wayit is made more effective. Choose that which is good andwhich strongly impresses [the nostrils] with its sweetsmell. Some also mingle cinnamon with it. It has awarming, softening quality, opening the mouths [of theblood vessels], good for disorders of the vulva and nerves and for pleurisy and fractures, both alone as well asmixed with a stiff ointment. It is also put into softeningmedicines made to help those troubled with stiffconvulsions of the neck, as well as those troubled withangina, and for inflammation of the groin. It is also putinto medicines against weariness.

1-66. IRINON

SUGGESTED: Iris germanica [Fuchs, Brunfels, Linnaeus], Iris vulgaris Germanica sive sylvestris [Bauhin], Irinum — German Iris, Blue Flower de Luce, Flowering Ring

— Iris Oil

POISONOUS

Take six pounds eight ounces of spatha or elata [1-150](pounded as small as possible) and seventy three

pounds five ounces of oil. Mix it with five pints of water,place it into a brass jar and boil it until it absorbs the smellof spatha; afterwards strain it out into a basin smearedwith honey. From this aromatised oil the first irinum isprepared, the iris being steeped in the thickened oil asdescribed below. Or else do the following. Take fivepounds two ounces of xylobalsamum [1-18] and seventypounds five ounces of oil, and having pounded them asabove, boil them together. Afterwards take out thexylobalsamum, put in nine pounds ten ounces of bruisedcalamus [1-17] [as well as an equal weight of] grains ofmyrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116] steeped in old fragrant wine.Afterwards take fourteen pounds of this thickened andaromatised oil, steep the same weight of bruised iris in


67

there, leave it undisturbed for two days and two nights,and afterwards strain it out lustily and forcibly. If youwould have it stronger add the same amount [of iris],steeping similarly the same amount a second and thirdtime, then strain it out. The best by far smells of nothingelse but only of iris, such as that made in Perga,Pamphylia and that made in Elis, Achaia. It is softeningand warming, and it cleans crusted ulcers, decaying fleshand filth, and it is good for conditions around the vulva,and for inflammation and closures of it. It expels a birthand opens haemorrhoids. It is good for noises in the earsapplied with vinegar, rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98] and bitteralmonds. For dripping mucus that has endured long thenostrils are rubbed with it, and also for fetid nasal polyps.A drink of a wine cupful purges the bowels, is good forsuffering of the stomach, encourages urine, and is goodfor those who have difficulty vomiting, their fingersbeing rubbed with it [to put down the throat] or givenwith other things that cause vomiting. It is good rubbedon for angina or gargled with honey and water, and alsofor roughness of the arteries. It is given as an antidote tothose who have taken a drink of hemlock, fungi orcoriander.

1-67. GLEUCINON

SUGGESTED: Gleucinum — Syruped Pulp of Grapes in Oil,Oil of Must

Gleucinum simplex is prepared from oil of unripeolives, schoinos [rushes], calamus [1-17], Celtic nard

[1-7], spatha [1-150], aspalathus [1-19], melilot [3-48], costus[1-15] and must. The vinandea [must] is laid in the jar thatcontains the aromata [fragrant herbs] with the wine andoil. It is stirred up and down twice every day for thirtydays and then strained out and stored. It is warming,softening and relaxing; good for chills, sinewy diseasesand disorders of the vulva. It is more effective than acopon[medicines to remove fatigue] being softening.

68

OINTMENTS

69


Juncus bulbosus


70

OINTMENTS

Prunus amygdalus


1-68. AMARAKINON

SUGGESTED: Amaracinum — Parthenium,Cotula foetida [Fuchs], Chamaemelum foetidum [Bauhin], Anthemis cotula [Linnaeus] — Mayweed [Mabberley]

[other usage] Origanum amaracus — Amaracus Origanum dictamnus, Dictamnus creticus, Amaracus dictamnus

— Dittany of Crete

The best amaracinum is made in Cyzicum. It is madefrom the oils of unripe olives and balaninum [1-40,

4-160]; thickened with xylobalsamum [1-18], schoenus [4-52] and calamus [sweet flag] but sweetened with amaracusand costus [1-15], amomum [1-14], nard [1-6, 1-7, 1-8, 1-10],carpobalsam [fruit of opalobalsamum, 1-18] and myrrh [1-77,1-73, 4-116]. Those who make it expensively includecinnamon. Honey and wine are used both for rubbingthe jars and steeping the aromata [fragrant herbs] thathave been pounded. It is warming, sleep-inducing,opening the blood vessels, softening, heating anddiuretic — effective for decaying flesh, fistulas, andwatery ruptures occuring after the help of surgery. Itbreaks cradle cap on all sides and efferata [growingoutwards] ulcers, and it is good for difficult urination (the perineum or buttocks and anus rubbed with it), and it isalso good rubbed on for inflammation of the same places,and for opening haemorrhoids. Applied to the uterus itinduces passage of the menstrual flow, and dissolveshardness and oedema [water retention] in the vulva. It isgood for hurt tendons and muscles, moistened andapplied in thin pads of wool. There is also a kind of oilwhich naturally and of its own accord drops out of therock, with a sweet smell and a certain heaviness. It isfound in Arabia and Italy and is very effective for manyuses. It is able to dry, open, and glue tendons together. Itis good for scabs and ulcers, and it also lessens andsubdues wind.

71


1-69. MEGALEION

SUGGESTED: Megalium — Parthenium, Cotula foetida [Fuchs],Chamaemelum foetidum [Bauhin], Anthemis cotula [Linnaeus]

— Mayweed [Mabberley]

That which is called megalium used to be made but isno longer, yet for the completeness of the history it

will not be out of place to speak something of it. Themixture of this is the same as amaracinum [1-68] but thereis resin added to it so that it differs only in that. It is gentlysoftening. Resin is mixed with the oils neither forpreservation nor delight’s sake but only to colour andthicken them. Turpentine is also mixed with it and boileduntil it stops smelling. The method of boiling it isexplained in the section on resin.

1-70. HEDYCHROON

SUGGESTED: Hedychroon — Parthenium, Cotula foetida [Fuchs],Chamaemelum foetidum [Bauhin], Anthemis cotula [Linnaeus]

— Mayweed [Mabberley]

That which is called hedychroon and which is made inCo has the same strength and the same method of

preparation as amaracinum [1-68] but it smells sweeter.

1-71. METOPION

SUGGESTED: Ferula galbaniflua, Metopium — Galbanum

An ointment is prepared in Egypt which they callmetopium because they mix galbanum with it, for the

wood out of which galbanum is made they call metopium.A mixture is made of bitter almonds, oil of unripe olivesand cardamom, schoenus [4-52], calamus [1-17], honey,wine, myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116], seeds of balsam [1-18],galbanum and resin. The best smells strongly and is fat,resembling cardamom and myrrh rather than galbanum.It heats and burns considerably and it also opens themouths of blood vessels. It draws and purges ulcers. It iseffective applied with antiseptic plasters for strength,muscles that have been cut, and watery lungs. It is mixedwith warm compresses and stiff ointments. It is good for

72

OINTMENTS

73


Lilium rubens


74

OINTMENTS

Narcissus poeticus


chills and reversed curved bodies in convulsions. Itencourages sweat, opens closed blood vessels of theuterus and loosens hardness around it, and in general ithas a softening quality.

1-72. MENDESION

SUGGESTED: Mendesium — Resin Compound

Mendesium is made from balanine oil [1-40, 4-160],myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116], cassia and resin. Some,

after they have put in everything by weight, additionallyput in a little cinnamon, but this is unneccessary becausethe things that are not pounded together do not yieldtheir strength. It has similar properties to metopium [1-71]yet to a lower degree.

1-73. STACTE

SUGGESTED: Commiphora abyssinica — Coarse Myrrha Commiphora myrrha — Myrrh Tree, Myrrha

Stacte — Oil of new Myrrh

see 1-77, 4-116

Stacte is the fat of new myrrh bruised with a little waterand pressed out with an instrument. It has a very

sweet smell, is precious, and by itself makes an ointmentcalled stacte. The approved stacte is not mixed with oil and has a great deal of strength in a little amount, with awarming quality similar to myrrh and hot oils.

1-74. KINNAMOMINON

SUGGESTED: Cinnamominum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum — Oil of Cinnamon

Cinnamominum is made from oil of balanine [1-40,4-160] and thickened with xylobalsamum [1-18],

calamus [1-17], schoenus [4-52], the sweetness ofcinnamon, carpo balsamum [1-18], four times the quantityof myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116] as cinnamon, and honey ismixed in to incorporate them. The best approved is notsharp, with a mild smell and with myrrh predominating,

75


thick and sweet-smelling, and with a very bitter taste.This has its thickness not from resin but from myrrh. Forresin neither gives it bitterness nor a sweet smell. It issharp, warming and bitter. Therefore it opens the mouths of blood vessels by warming, and it dissolves, dissipates,and draws forth all fluids and windiness, but it offendsthe head. It is good for diseases around the vulva withtwice as much oil and wax and bone marrow, for this way it reduces much of its sharpness and becomes softening.Otherwise it burns and hardens more violently than allother thickened ointments. It is effective with cardamomfor fistulas, decaying flesh, watery lungs, carbuncles[infected boils] and gangrene; and rubbed on for chillswhich recur, tremors, and those bitten by virulent beasts.It is to be applied with bruised green figs to those touched by scorpions or phalangii [harvest spiders].

1-75. NARDINON MURON

SUGGESTED: Phu germanicum, Valeriana vulgaris, Phu vulgare [Fuchs], Valeriana sylvestris major [Bauhin],

Valeriana officinalis [Linnaeus], Nardinum — Valerian [Mabberley] — Spikenard Ointment

Nardinum ointment is prepared various ways —either with the leaf of malabathrum [1-11] or without

it. For the most part it is mixed with oil balanine [1-40,4-160] or unripe olive oil, and to thicken the oil juncusodoratus [4-52, 1-16] is added, and to give it a sweet smellcostus [1-15], amomum [1-14], nardus [1-6, 1-7, 1-8, 1-10]myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116] and balsamum [1-18] are added.The best is thin, not sharp, with the sweet smell in it ofdried nardus or amomum. It reduces the intensity ofsymptoms and purifies fluids with a sharp, cleansing,warming strength. It is moist and not thick like a stalk orstem, unless it has resin in it. Some with less value is made from unripe olive oil, juncus odoratus, calamus [1-17], costus and nardus.

76

OINTMENTS

1-76. MALABATHRINON

SUGGESTED: Trapa bicornis — Ling NutTrapa bispinosa — Singhara Nut

Trapa quadrispinosa — Water Chestnut species

Limnantheum indicum, Nymphoides indica — Water Snowflake Callitriche palustris, Callitriche verna, Callitriche platycarpa

— Water Starwort

see 1-11

Malabathrinum or foliatum that is thickened likenardinum [1-75] has more myrrh, thus it is warming

and equal to crocinum [1-64] or amaracinum [1-68].

1-77. IASMELAION

SUGGESTED: Jasminum sambac, Nyctanthes arbor tristus[Bedevian] — Arabian Jasmine

Jasme — Oil of Jasmine

That which is called jasme is made among the Persiansfrom the white flowers of jasmine — two ounces of

which are placed into an Italian pint of sesame oil, thenchanged and softened again as described in themanufacture of liliaceum [1-62]. The use of this isentertained among the Persians at their banquets for thesweet scent that it yields. It is good for the whole bodyafter bathing, for those who want warmth and relaxation. It has a heavy sweet smell, so that many do not willinglyuse it.

77


Bursera gummifolia


GUMS from TREES 1-77. SMURNA

SUGGESTED: Commiphora myrrha — Myrrh Tree, Myrrha Commiphora abyssinica — Coarse Myrrha

see 1-73

Smyrna [myrrh] is the oozing of a tree (like theEgyptian [tree]) which grows in Arabia, an incision

being made in the thorns, from which the gum dripsdown onto the mats spread underneath, but somecongeals around the stock of the tree. Some of this iscalled pediasimos (as we should say, campestris) fromwhich when pressed stacte [oil of new myrrh] is taken.Another called gabirea is more thick and grows in fruitfuland fertile places. It also yields much stacte. Priority isgiven to that called troglodytica from the place that breedsit — a pale green, biting and transparent. Some is alsogathered which is thinner, next in esteem to theprimitive, soft like bdellium, with a poisonous smell as itwere, growing in sunny places. There is another kindcalled caucalis which is smelly, black and dried. The worstof all is that which is called ergasima which is rough,withlittle fat, and sharp — resembling gum both in sight andstrength. That called aminea is also not allowed. Fragrantand fat pressings are made from the fat gum; pressingsneither fat nor good-smelling from the dry gum, weakerbecause they did not take in oil in their manufacture orforming. It is counterfeited by gum steeped in the waterin which myrrh was infused and mixed. Choose thatwhich is new, brittle, light, of the same colourthroughout, and which when broken is smooth like a nail and in small pieces — bitter, sharp, fragrant andwarming. That which is ponderous, weighs heavy and isthe colour of pitch is useless.

It is warming, rheum-closing, sleep-inducing,retaining, drying and astringent. It soothes and opens the closed vulva, and it expels the menstrual flow and birthspeedily applied with wormwood [3-26], a dilution oflupins [2-132, 2-13] or juice from rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98]. Theamount of a bean is taken like a catapotium [pill], against along-enduring cough, asthma, pains of the side and

78

GUMS from TREES

79


Parthenium


80

GUMS from TREES

Commiphora kataf

after TEGETMEYER — 1888

chest, looseness of the bowels and dysentery. It dissolveschills (in acute fevers, especially recurrent paroxysmicones) the amount of a bean taken in a drink with pepperand water two hours before the fit. Put under the tongueand melted it helps both sharpness of the arteries andhoarseness of the voice. It kills worms and is chewed forstinking breath. For sores on the armpits it is rubbed onwith liquid alum [5-123]. Used as a mouthwash with wine and oil it strengthens teeth and gums. Rubbed on withthe flesh of a snail it cures broken ears and exposedbones, as well as pus in the ears and their inflammationwith meconium [4-65], castorium [2-26] and glaucium [2-212, 3-100]. It is rubbed on varicose veins with cassia andhoney. It cleans away impetigo [skin infection] withvinegar, and it stops hair falling out [alopecia] rubbed onwith ladanum [1-128], wine and oil myrsinum [1-48].Rubbed on the ear externally it alleviates long-enduringdischarges. It fills up ulcers in the eyes, and it wears offwhite spots on the cornea and things which darken thepupils. It also smooths rough skin. A soot is also made of it (like soot of frankincense) effective for the samepurposes, as we will show.

1-78. BOIOTIKE SMURNA

SUGGESTED: Hipposelinum,Smyrnium olusatrum, Petroselinum alexandrinum — Alexanders, Black Lovage,

Horse Parsley, Boeotin Myrrh

see 1-77, 1-73, 3-78, 4-116

Boeotican myrrh comes out of the cut root of a certainplant growing in Boeotia. Choose that which

resembles myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116] in the sweet smell. It is softening, warming and dissolving. It is also effectivemixed in inhalations of smoke or fumes.

1-79. STURAX

SUGGESTED: Styrax officinale — Styrax Tree Styrax benzoin, Benzoin officinale, Lithocarpus benzoin

— Gum Benjamin Tree, Benzoe

Styrax is the oozing of a certain tree like a quince tree.The best is yellow, fat, full of resin, having white

81


under the clots, which remains a long time in its sweetsauce, and which when it is softened releases a certainhoneyish kind of moisture. The gabalites, pissiadicus andthe cilicius are like this. That which is black, brittle andlike bran (or encrusted) is worthless. An oozing like thegum is also found (transparent like myrrh [1-77, 1-73,4-116]) but there is only a little that grows of this. Theycounterfeit it with powder from the same tree (made bythe boring of worms) by mixing honey with it and thethick matter of iris and certain other things. Some alsoaromatise wax or tallow in the sharpest sun, work ittogether with styrax, and press it out into cold waterthrough a colander with broad holes (making as it werelittle worms of it), and they sell it, calling it vermiculatum[now a name for gum of acacia thorns]. Those who areunskilful approve of it as authentic, not noticing the weak intensity of the smell, for that which is without deceit isvery sharp.

It is warming, softening and digestive. It cures coughs and dripping mucus, runny noses, hoarseness and loss of the voice. It is good for closures and hardness in thevulva, and taken as a drink and applied it dries out themenstrual flow. It gently softens the bowels if a little of itis swallowed down with resin terminthos [1-91]. It is alsoeffective mixed with dispersing ointments or plasters and acopon [fatigue removers]. It is burned, roasted, scorchedand made into a soot like thus [1-81] and this soot is goodfor the same things as thus. But the ointment styracinum[also refered to as oil of crocus] which is made from it inSyria warms and powerfully softens; but it causes pain,heaviness of the head and sleep.

1-80. BDELLION

SUGGESTED: Bdellium africanum, Balsamodendrum africanum,Heudelotia africanum — Bdellium Tree, Balsamodendron kua

Bdellium (which some call madelcum or bolchum) is theoozing of a Sarandenian tree. The best-approved is

bitter in taste, transparent, fat like bull’s glue, fat in theinside of it and easily growing soft, without wood orother filth, with a very sweet smell when burnt, likejuncus odoratus [4-52, 1-16]. There is another sort — filthyand black, in bigger pieces, rolled up into lumps —

82

GUMS from TREES

83


Commiphora gallaensis


84

GUMS from TREES

Styrax officinalis


brought out of India. It is also brought from a town calledPetra, and this is dry, resinous, black and blueunderneath, and next in strength to the first. It iscounterfeited by mixing gum with it, but this is not asbitter to the taste, and when burnt and smoked it doesnot smell as sweet.

It is warming and softening, and diluted with thespittle of one fasting it dissolves hardness and swellingsof the throat and watery ruptures. It opens the entranceto the vulva when applied and the smoke inhaled. It is anabortifacient and draws out moisture. Taken as a drink itbreaks up stones [kidney, urinary] and it expels urine. Itis effective given for coughs and poisonous creatures'bites. It is good for hernia, convulsions and pain of theside, and for the accumulated wind in those who haverun. It is put into warm compresses which are good forhardness and the knots in the nerves. Bruised, it isworked together with wine or hot water is poured on it.

1-81. LIBANON THUS

SUGGESTED: Boswellia carterii, Boswellia papyrifera, Boswellia floribunda, Boswellia serrata

— Gum from Frankincense, Olibanum Tree

Ferula rubricaulis — also used in incense

Thus (which is also called thurifera) grows in Arabia,the best of which is the masculum called stagonias,

naturally round. This when not cut is white, and whenbroken fat within. Put on fire it burns straight. The Indian is both yellow-brown underneath and a pale yellow incolour. It is made round by art and industry. For cutting it into cubes and throwing them into jars of clay they rollthem up and down so long in there until they take around form. Such thus as this grows yellow in time and iscalled atomum or syagrium. Next to this is that from Arabiaand that which grows in Amelum. It is also calledcopiscum [abundant] and it is smaller and more yellow.There is some called amomites which is otherwise whitebut when softened is yielding like mastic [1-51]. All thus isadulterated with resin of pine and gum, being artificiallyhandled. Discerning this is easy. The gum when put intoa fire does not flame out, and the resin evaporates intosmoke, but the thus is kindled and by its scent proves

85


itself. It is able to warm and is an astringent to clean away things which darken the pupils, fill up the hollowness ofulcers and draw them to a scar, and to glue togetherbloody wounds; and it is able to suppress all excessivedischarges of blood including that of the neuralmembrane. Pounded into small pieces and applied withlinen dipped in milk it lessens malignant ulcers aroundthe perineum and other parts. It takes away new wartsand impetigo [skin infection] smeared on with vinegarand pitch. It cures ulcerous burns from fire and chilblains rubbed on with fat from a pig or goose. With saltpetre[potassium nitrate] it cures ulcers that penetrate thehead. It is used with honey for hangnails and with pitchfor bruises of the ears, and poured in with sweet wine forother sores of the ears. Rubbed on with fuller's earth[ammonium silicate] and rosaceum [1-53] it is good forwomen’s breasts inflamed from the time of their givingbirth. It is effective mixed with medicines made for thearteries and the bowels; and taken as a drink it helpsthose who spit blood. Taken as a drink by those who arehealthy it brings madness, and taken as a drink in anygreat amount with wine, it kills. Thus is burnt in a cleanceramic jar and set on fire by a piece of it lighted by acandle until it is burnt. You must (after it is fully burnt)stop it with something until it is quenched, for so it willnot be turned into ashes. Some also put a hollow brass jararound the pot with holes in the middle for receiving thesoot, as we will show in the description of the soot of thus. Some place it into unfired jars, wrap it around with clay,and burn it in a furnace. It is also burnt in a new ceramicjar with hot burning coals until it no longer bubbles norsends out any more fat or vapour, and that which isthoroughly burnt is easily broken.

1-82. PHLOIOS LIBANOU

SUGGESTED: Boswellia carterii, Boswellia papyrifera, Boswellia floribunda, Boswellia serrata — Bark of Frankincense,

Olibanum Tree

The best bark of thuris [thus] is thick, fat, fragrant, new,smooth, and neither coarse nor thin. It is

counterfeited by mixing it with the bark of strobilinum [fircones, pine cones]. Fire will also betray these. For the

86

GUMS from TREES

others when put into the fire do not kindle, but smokewithout any sweet smell and are extinguished. But thebark of thus kindles and incense is made of it. It has thesame properties as frankincense but is more effective andastringent. As a result, it is better (taken in a drink) forthose who spit blood or are troubled with an excessivedischarge from stomach or uterus; and as an astringent itis alternately a substitute. It is also good for scars on theeye, intestinal worms and filth, and applied it is effectivefor scabby inflammation of the eyes.

1-83. LIBANOU MANNA

SUGGESTED: Boswellia carterii, Boswellia papyrifera, Boswellia floribunda, Boswellia serrata

— Exudation of Frankincense, Olibanum Tree

Manna — an exudation

The approved manna of frankincense is white, cleanand grainy. It has the same strength as frankincense

but is somewhat grainy. Some adulterate it by mixingwith it resin from the pine tree, sieved, and the flourused, or else bark of thus pounded. But fire tests all thesefor they do not burn the same way, neither with the samestrength nor with the same clear airy smoke (as the other) but with a sooty and impure one, and the sweet smell hasa certain kind of sour one mixed with it.

1-84. LIBANOU AITHALIE

SUGGESTED: Boswellia serrata, Thus — Soot of Frankincense, Spruce, Firs, Pines

Make soot of thuris as follows. Holding a grain of thus[frankincense] with a little pair of tongs to a lamp

to set it alight, put it into a new hollow ceramic jar thencover it with a brass jar (hollow within, full of holes in themiddle and carefully wiped very clean). Then put overon one side of it (or on both) little stones of four fingers inheight to see whether the pieces burn or not, and thatthere may be a place where to put other grains under alsobefore the first grain is quite out. Do this until you thinkthat you have gathered enough soot. But always keep the outside of the brass cover moist with a sponge dipped in

87


cold water. For all the soot adheres faster to it when it isnot too hot, which otherwise because of the lightness of itfalls off and is mixed with the ashes of frankincense.Therefore, having scraped off the first soot do so again asoften as you shall think suitable, and also take away theashes separately from the thus that has been burnt. It hasthe ability to soothe inflammation of the eyes, repressdischarges, clean ulcers, fill hollow sores, and repressdiseases of the cornea.

1-85. LIGNUOS SKEUASIA

SUGGESTED: Soot of Myrrh — Commiphora myrrha Resin — Spruce, Firs, Pines; Benzoin — Styrax

In the same way soot is made from myrrh [1-77, 1-73,4-116], rosin and styrax [1-79] and these are good for

the same purposes [as the above]. You can produce sootin the same way from other resins.

1-86. PITUS, PEUKE

SUGGESTED: Pinus rigida, Peuce [Pliny] — Pitch Pine Pin, Pinus, Pinus pinea, Pinus sativa — Italian Stone Pine

Pitys is a well-known tree. There is another similar tree called peuce which differs in shape. The bark of both

of them is astringent. Pounded into small pieces and apoultice then made of it, it is good with sediment [ofwine] and manna [exudation of trees] for chafingdermatitis, superficial ulcers and for burns. Taken withmyrica wax ointment it brings boils to a scar in those withtender skin; and pounded into small pieces with blacking from a shoemaker it represses serpentia [?snakebite]. Itexpels the birth and afterbirth out of the uterus taken asinhalations (smoke, fumes); and taken as a drink it stopsdischarges of the intestines and encourages urine. Theirleaves pounded into small pieces and made into apoultice lessen inflammation and keep wounds frombeing inflamed. Pounded into small pieces and boiled invinegar they lessen toothache when [the teeth are]washed with the warm liquid. One teaspoon of the leaves (taken as a drink with water, or honey and water) is goodfor liver disorders. The bark from the cones and the split

88

GUMS from TREES

leaves (taken in a drink) are good for the same purposes.A toeda [a piece of the heart of the tree] cut in small piecesin a decoction boiled with vinegar and held in to a tooththat suffers, lessens toothache. A paste is made fromthem suitable for preparations for enemas andsuppositories. When they are burning a soot is taken,good to make writing ink, and good also to be put inmedicines for the eyelids. It is also good for erosions atthe corners of the eyes, weeping eyes and bald eyelids.

1-87. PITUIDES

SUGGESTED: Pinus rigida, Peuce — Pitch Pine Pinus mughus, Pinus nigra, Pinus maritima — Pineseeds, Pine

Pityides are the fruit of the pines [and of the pinus picea] found in the cones. They are astringent and

somewhat warming. They help coughs and disorders ofthe chest taken either by themselves or with honey.

1-88. STROBILOI

SUGGESTED: Pinus mughus, Pinus nigra, Pinus maritima, Pinus pinea, Pinus rigida — Pine Cones

Fir cones cleaned and eaten or taken in a drink withpassum [raisin wine] and cucumber seed are diuretic,

and dull irritations of the bladder and kidneys. They alsolessen rosiones [gnawing corrosion] of the stomach. Taken with juice of purslane [4-169] they strengthen infirmity of the body, and dull the infection of fluids. Fir conesgathered whole from the trees, pounded while they arefresh, and boiled in passum [raisin wine] are good for oldcoughs and consumptive wasting if three cups of thisliquid is taken every day.

89


1-89. SCHINOS

SUGGESTED: Schinus molle, Pistacia lentiscus, Bursera gummifera, Sideroxylon mastichodendron, Schinus

— Mastic Tree, Pepper Tree, Herb Mastic


Schinus is a well-known tree that is wholly astringentin its fruit and leaves. The bark of the branches and

root are of equal strength. A juice is made of the bark, root and leaves sufficiently boiled in water. Then (after theyare boiled) the plant material is removed and the waterboiled again to the consistency of honey. Being of anastringent nature it is good taken as a drink for throwing-up blood, discharges from the stomach, and dysentery, as well as for bloody eruptions from the uterus, and forprolapse of the uterus and perineum. Generally it may beused instead of acacia and hypocistis [1-127]. The juicestrained out of the leaves performs the same functions,and a decoction of the leaves applied with hot cloths fillshollow cavities, consolidates broken bones, and stopsdischarge of fluids from the uterus. It is a remedy againstgangrenous sores and is diuretic, and it settles unstableteeth that are washed with it. The green sprigs are rubbed on the teeth (instead of reed toothpicks) to clean them.An astringent oil is made from the fruit which is suitablefor things which need an astringent.

1-90. SCHININE RETINE

SUGGESTED: Schinus molle, Pistacia lentiscus, Bursera gummifera, Sideroxylon mastichodendron, Schinus

— Mastic Tree, Pepper Tree, Herb Mastic


A resin called lentiscina comes from lentiscum, and alsosome called mastic. Taken as a drink it is good for

vomiting of blood and for an old cough. It is good for thestomach, causing belching. It is mixed with toothpowders and ointments for the face making it clearer. Itprevents the eyelashes from falling out and thickensthem, and when chewed it causes sweet breath and

90

GUMS from TREES

Schinus molle


Bursera obtusifolia


91


Abies pectinata


92

GUMS from TREES

Pinus pinaster


strengthens the gums. The best and most abundantgrows in Chios and the choicest is that which is clear andsimilar in whiteness to Tyrrhenian wax — full, dry,crumbly and sweet-smelling — but that which is green isbad. It is adulterated by frankincense and resin of pinecones being mixed with it.

1-91. TERMINTHOS

SUGGESTED: Terminthinus, Termenteyne [old English],Pistacia terebinthus — Turpentine Tree

see also 1-50, 5-39

Terminthos is a well-known tree the leaves, fruit andbark of which are astringent and good for the same

things as lentisk [1-90], used and taken in the same way.The fruit is edible but hurts the stomach. It is diuretic andwarming, excellent to act on venereal diseases. Taken in a drink with wine it is good against harvest spider bites.The resin is brought out of Arabia Petraea. It also grows in Judaea, Syria, Cyprus and Africa, and in the islands called Cyclades. The preferred resin is most clear, white, aglassy colour and inclining to an azure [blue], fragrant,and smells like terminthos. The resin from terminthossurpasses all other resins and after it is the lentiscina [1-90]then pituine [1-86] and elaterium [4-155]. After these arereckoned both peucedanum [3-92] and pine cones. Now allresin has a soothing, warming, dispersing, cleansingquality; good for coughs and consumption [wastingdisease] taken in syrups (either by itself or with honey),purging what should be purged out of the chest. It is alsodiuretic, helps digestion, softens the intestines, and isgood for retaining hair on the eyebrows. It is good forleprosy with rust from brass, blacking from a shoemakerand saltpetre [potassium nitrate]. For ears which runwith filthy matter it is applied with oil and honey, and itis effective for itching genitals. It is mixed with plasters,warm compresses, and remedies to remove fatigue.Rubbed on or applied by itself it helps pains of the side.

93


1-92. RETINA ALLAS

SUGGESTED: Pinus mughus, Pinus nigra, Pinus maritima, Pinus pinea, Pinus rigida, Peuce — Pitch Pine, Pine

Picea alba, Pinus sylvestris, Abies pectinata, Picea excelsa— White Spruce, Silver Fir, Fir

Abies laryx, Larix europa — Larch Cupressus sempervirens, Cupressus funebris — Cypress

Moist resin also comes out of the pine tree and thepitch tree brought from Gallia and Hetruria.

Previously it was sometimes brought from Colophonfrom which it had its surname of colophonia, as well asfrom Galatia (which is near the Alps) which theinhabitants of that place in their proper tongue call thelarch tree. This is particularly good (taken in a linctus[syrup] or alone) for lasting coughs. They are alsodifferent in colour for one is white, another of oil colour,and another looks like honey, such as that of the larchtree. Moist resin also comes out of the cypress tree, goodfor the same purposes. Of that which is dry there is somecalled strobilina [from pine cones], elaterium [4-155],peucine [1-86] and pituine [1-86]. Choose that which smells sweetest and is clear — neither too dry nor too moist, butlike wax and brittle. Of these that of the pitch tree and firtree excel, for they have a sweet smell and resemblefrankincense in their odour. The best are brought out ofPityusa (an island which lies near Spain), but that fromthe pitch tree, strobilus [pine cones] and the cypress are ofa meaner sort and are not the same in strength as theothers, yet they are made use of for the same purposes.Lentiscina [1-90] matches terminthos [1-91] in strength.

1-93. LIGNUOS RETINES

SUGGESTED: Soot from Resin

All liquid resin is burnt in a jar containing four timesas much resin as the amount of the liquid that is to be

poured into it. You must (when you have put four and ahalf litres of resin and two gallons of rain water into a jar)boil it over a coal fire gently, always stirring it until it iswithout any smell and brittle and dry, and as it wereyields to the fingers. At last having cooled it, it must be

94

GUMS from TREES

95


Savina


96

GUMS from TREES

Pinus abies

after FAGUET— 1888

put up in a bottle made without pitch, and so it becomesextraordinarily white, but first you must strain all theresin, melting it so that the filth may be separated from it.It is also burnt without water on coals — gently at first but more violently when it begins to thicken — then placemany coals under and boil it without intermission forthree days and three nights until the remains have thepredicted properties. Then (as it is said) bottle and storeit. It is enough to boil the dry resin for one whole day andthen store it. When thus burnt these are good to give asweet smell to warm compresses and remedies to remove fatigue, as well as to colour ointments. Soot is also takenfrom resins as well as thus [1-81] which is good mixedwith medicines to make the eyelids pleasing, for gnawed- around eye corners, for the membranes of the eyelids,and for weeping eyes. Ink with which to write is alsomade from it.

1-94. PISSA UGRA

SUGGESTED: Pinus mughus, Pinus nigra, Pinus maritima, Pinus pinea, Pinus rigida, Peuce — Pitch Pine

Pix liquida (also called conum) is gathered from thefattest wood of the pitch and pine trees. They reckon

the best is glittering, smooth and clean. A wine cupful(taken with honey in a linctus [syrup]) is good inantidotes for poisoning, pulmonary consumption[wasting disease], purulent abnormal growths, coughs,asthma, and fluids that are difficult to cough up from thechest. It is good rubbed on with rosaceum [1-53] forinflammation of the tonsils and uvula, as well as forangina [spasmodic pains] and purulent [pus-filled] ears.For snakebite it is applied with salt (ground fine). Mixedwith the same amount of wax it draws off pitted nails,and dissolves tubercles [growths] on the vulva andhardness on the perineum. Boiled with barley meal andthe urine of a boy it breaks up tumours [possibly goitre].Rubbed on with sulphur, pine bark or bran it stopssnakebite ulcers. Mixed with manna of thus [1-81] andwaxy ointments and rubbed on it heals twisting ulcers,and is good for split feet and a split perineum, and withhoney it fills up ulcers and cleans them. With raisins of

97


the sun and honey it covers carbuncles [infected boils][malignant skin tumours] and rotten ulcers with scars. Itis also effective mixed with antiseptic plasters.

1-95. PISSELAION


Picinum is made from the watery matter of pitch which swims on top (like whey on milk that has been

separated). This is taken away while boiling the pitch bylaying clean wool over it which is made moist by thesteam ascending up. It is squeezed out into a jar and thisis done for as long as the pitch is boiling. It is available forthe same purposes as liquid pitch. Applied as a poulticewith barley meal it restores hair fallen out from alopecia[baldness]. Liquid pitch also cures the same, and rubbedon them it cures boils and scabs on cattle.

1-96. LIGNUOS UGRAS PISSES


Soot is made from moist pitch. Light a new lamp, put aportion of pitch into it and cover the lamp with a new

ceramic jar made like a clibinus (above round and narrowand with a mouth below like ovens have) and let thelamp burn. When the first liquid pitch is used up put inmore until you have made enough soot, and then use it. It is sharp and astringent and is used in medicines to makethe eyelids pleasing, for rubbing, and when hair must berestored to eyelids that are filled with excessive wateryfluids. It is good for weak, weeping, ulcerated eyes.

1-97. PISSA XERA


Dry pitch is made from decocted liquid pitch. It is also called palimpissa (that is, pitch boiled again). Some

of this (called boscas) is sticky like birdlime, and another

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GUMS from TREES

sort is dry. The good dry pitch is pure, fat, smells good,and is golden underneath and resinous — such as theLycian and Brutian which share the two natures of pitchand resin. It is warming and softening, removing pus,dispersing tubercula [nodules] and pannus [opaquethickening of cornea with veins], and filling up ulcers. Itis effective mixed with wound medicines.

1-98. ZOPISSA

SUGGESTED: Resin scraped off ships — Zopissa

Some call the resin (which together with wax isscraped off ships) zopissa, and others call it apochyma

as it is soluble because it was steeped in sea water. Somehave called the resin of the pine tree by the same name.

1-99. ASPHALTOS

SUGGESTED: Bitumen — Asphalt — Mineral Pitch [1]

Judean bitumen is better than others. The best shinesand is purple and heavy with a strong scent, but the

black foul bitumen is worthless for it is adulterated withadded pitch. It is found in Phoenicia, Sidon, Babylon andZacynthus. It is also found (moist) swimming on wells inthe country of the Agrigentines (Sicily) which they usefor lamps instead of oil, and which they falsely callSicilian oil, for it is a kind of moist bitumen.

1-100. PISSASPHALTOS

SUGGESTED: Pissasphaltos — Bitumen — Asphalt — Mineral Pitch [2]

There is some called pissasphaltos found in Apollonianear Epidamnus, which is carried down from the

Ceraunian mountains by the violence of the river andcast on the shore, growing into knobs which smell ofpitch mixed with bitumen.

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1-101. NAPHTHA

SUGGESTED: Naptha — Bitumen — Asphalt — Mineral Pitch[3]

There is also some called naptha, which is strainedBabylonian asphaltus, white in colour. Some is also

found which is black. It attracts fire because it draws it toitself from a distance. It is good for bathing eyes and forwhite spots on the cornea.

Properties of Asphaltos

All bitumen is able to repress inflammation, closeopen cuts and sores, and disperse and soften, and iseffective for congested vulvae and prolapse whenapplied, smelled, or the smoke inhaled. Furthermore, itreveals those troubled with epilepsy if the smoke isinhaled like [burning] gagate [jet] stone. Taken as a drinkwith wine and castoreum [2-26] it draws out the menstrual flow. It helps obstinate coughs, and those troubled withasthma and difficult breathing, also snakebites, hip painsand pains of the side. It is given to those troubled withcolic as a catapotium [pill], and taken as a drink withvinegar it dissolves clots of blood. It is given melted withbarley water as a suppository to those troubled withdysentery. It cures dripping mucus if inhaled. Wrappedaround teeth it soothes toothache. Dry bitumen warmedwith a continuous splashing (and so applied) retains hair. A plaster of it is applied mixed with barley meal, wax andsaltpetre [potassium nitrate] to help those troubled withpodagra [gout], arthritis and lethargy. Pissasphaltos can doas much as pix [organic pitch] and bitumen mixedtogether.

1-102. KUPARISSOS

SUGGESTED: Cupressus sempervirens — Cypress Cupressus funebris — Mourning Cypress, Weeping Cypress,

Funereal Cypress

The leaves of cypress bind and cool. Taken as a drinkwith passum [raisin wine] and a little myrrh [1-77,

1-73, 4-116] they help frequent painful urination. Pills of it (bruised and taken as a drink with wine) are good for

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GUMS from TREES

bloody vomit, dysentery, excessive discharges from thebowels, asthma and coughs. A decoction of it does thesame. Pounded with figs it soothes hardness, and curespolyps [protruding growths from mucus membrane] inthe nostrils. Boiled with vinegar and pounded into smallpieces with lupins [2-132] it draws off rotten nails. Apoultice of it applied stops rupture of the intestines[hernia] and the leaves do the same. Pills of it (togetherwith the filaments) placed smoking like a perfume[incense] are an insect repellant to drive away mosquitos.The leaves pounded into small pieces and applied as apoultice heal wounds. It also staunches blood. Poundedinto small pieces with vinegar it dyes hair. It is applied asa poultice either by itself or with polenta for erysipela[streptococcal skin infection], herpes [viral skin infection],carbuncles [infected boils] [malignant skin tumours] andinflammation of the eyes. Mixed with a stiff ointment and applied it strengthens the stomach.

1-103. ARKEOTHOS MEGALE,ARKEOTHOS MIKRA

SUGGESTED: Iuniperos minor [Fuchs, Brunfels]Juniperos vulgaris fructiosa [Bauhin], Juniperus excelsa

— Greek JuniperArceuthinus [Latin], Juniperus communis — Juniper

POISONOUS — WOOD

Some juniper is bigger, some smaller. Either of thejunipers [the bigger and the smaller] are sharp,

diuretic and warming, and when burned the fumes driveaway snakes. One type of the fruit (called the juniperberry) is the size of a hazelnut, the other equal to a bean— both round and fragrant, sweet, and a little bitter tochew. It is mildly warming and astringent, good for thestomach, good taken in drink for infirmities of the chest,coughs, gaseousness, griping, and the poisons ofvenomous creatures. It is also diuretic; as a result it isgood for convulsions and hernia, and those who havecongested or blocked wombs.

It has sharp leaves, as a result applied as a plaster andtaken as a drink (or the juice taken with wine) they aregood for those bitten by vipers. The bark (burned andrubbed on with water) removes leprosy, but the scraping

101


Juniperus communis


or dust of the wood (swallowed down) kills. There is agreat juniper too, which some call cypressus sylvestris,some mnesitheus, some acatera, and the Romans juniperus,and it is known to most like cypress growing for the mostpart in rough places and near the sea. It has the sameproperties as the former. The lesser juniper some callarcheuthis, some, mnesitheus, others, acatalis, the Africanszuorinsipet, the Egyptians libium, the Romans juniperus,and the Gauls jupicellusum.

1-104. BRATHUS

SUGGESTED: Sabina [Fuchs], Sabina folio tamarasci Dioscoridis[Bauhin], Brathys, Brathus [Latin], Juniperus sabina [Linnaeus],

Herba sabina — Savin, Sabin

There are two kinds of savin. One has leaves likecypress, but is more prickly with a strong smell, and

sharp with a hot nature. The tree is short and extendsitself mostly in breadth. Some use the leaves for perfume.The other kind has leaves like myrica [1-116]. Applied as apoultice the leaves of either of them close stomas[openings] and alleviate inflammation. Similarly, applied as a plaster with honey, they take away all blackness andfoulness, and they break up carbuncles [infected boils].Taken as a drink with wine (as well as applied or byinhalation) they draw out blood through the urine, anddrive out the birth. They are mixed with hot ointmentsand in particular with gleucinum [1-67]. Some call itbarathrum, some baryton, and the Romans call it herbasabina.

1-105. KEDROS, KEDROS MIKRA

SUGGESTED: Cedrus libani, Cedrus libanotica, Pinus cedrus, Abies cedrus, Larix cedrus — Cedar of Lebanon

Cedar deodara, Larix deodara, Pina deodara — Deodar,Himalayan Cedar, Indian Cedar

POISONOUS

The cedar is a great tree from which cedria [oil of cedar] is gathered. It has fruit like the cypress but much

bigger. There is another tree called cedar which is less

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GUMS from TREES

103


Daphnoides vulgare


104

GUMS from TREES

Rhamnus catharticus


prickly than juniper, bearing round fruit as big as myrtleberries. The best cedria is thick and very clear with astrong scent; poured out it falls by drops and is notdiffused. It is able to decay living bodies and is apreservative of dead ones; as a result some have called itthe life of the dead. It corrupts cloths and skin because itheats and dries extraordinarily. It is also good for eyemedicines, clearing the sight when rubbed on. It takesaway white spots and scars on the cornea. Dropped inwith vinegar it kills worms in the ears; infused with adecoction of hyssop [3-30] it quietens their noise andhissing. Dropped into the cavities of teeth it breaks thetooth but stops the pain. It does the same used as amouthwash with vinegar. Rubbed around the genitalsbefore sexual union it causes sterility. Those who aretroubled with angina are rubbed with it, and it helpsinflammation of pus-filled tonsils. Rubbed on it kills liceand nits. A plaster of it applied with salt helps the bite ofthe horned viper. It helps for poison of the sea hare [2-20]taken in a drink with passum [raisin wine], and it helpselephantiasis [skin disease]. As much as a wine cupful oflinctus [syrup] of it sipped (or the ointment applied) alsopurges ulcers of the lungs and cures them. Taken as asuppository it also kills ascaridae [threadworms] andother worms, and it extracts the birth [abortifacient]. Anoil is made of the moisture which is separated from thecedria [oil of cedar] by a fleece laid over it during boiling(as we have said in the chapter on pitch) good for thesame purposes as cedria. Particularly the oil, stronglyrubbed in, cures scabs on beasts, dogs and oxen; andwhen applied it kills ricinos [lice], and heals ulcers onthose which came from shearing. The soot of it isgathered like that of pitch, and it has the same strength.The fruit of cedar is called cedrides. It is warming and bad for the stomach but helps coughs, convulsions, herniaand slow painful urination. Taken as a drink with pepper(pounded into small pieces), it dries out the menstrualflow, and it is taken in wine against the poison of sea hare[2-20]. Used with deer fat or bone marrow it repels snakes if the body is rubbed with it. It is also mixed in antidotes.

105


1-106. DAPHNE

SUGGESTED: Laurus-Alexandrina [Fuchs], Daphne-Alexandrina[Brunfels], Ruscus hypoglossum [Linnaeus],

Ruscus hippoglossum, Uvularia, Baslingua — Laurel of Caesar[Mabberley], Horse Tongue, Double Tongue

Laurus nobilis — Sweet Bay, Laurel, Roman Laurel

Some daphne [laurus] is found with a smaller leaf, somea broader. Both are warming and softening, as a result

a decoction of them is good as a hip bath for disorders ofthe vulva and bladder. The green leaves are somewhatastringent. Pounded into small pieces and applied theyare good for wasp and bee stings. Applied with barleyflour and bread they are able to lessen any inflammation.Taken as a drink they make the stomach tender andprovoke vomit, but the bay berries heat more than theleaves. They are good therefore taken in a linctus [syrup](after they are pounded into small pieces) with honey orpassum [raisin wine] for consumption [wasting disease],asthma and dripping mucus around the chest. They arealso taken as a drink with wine against scorpion stings,and they remove vitiligines [form of leprosy]. The juice ofthe berries helps earache and hardness of hearingdropped into the ears with old wine and rosaceum [1-53].It is mixed with recipes for medicines to remove fatigue,with hot ointments, and with those which disperse. Thebark of the root breaks stones [kidney, urinary], is anabortifacient, and is good for liver disorders — half ateaspoon taken as a drink with fragrant wine. It is alsocalled danaben, stephanos (as we should say a crown),daphnos, mythracice, mithrios, or hypoglossion.

1-107. PLATANOS

SUGGESTED: Platanus orientalis — Oriental Plane

The tender leaves of platanus (boiled in wine andapplied as a poultice) stop discharges of the eyes, and

alleviate oedema and inflammation. The bark (boiled invinegar) is a lotion for toothache. The green filaments(taken as a drink with wine) help those bitten by snakes.Used in animal fat they cure burns. The down of theleaves and filaments hurts the hearing and sight.

106

GUMS from TREES

107


Atriplex hortensis


108

GUMS from TREES

Tamarix sylvestris foemina


1-108. MELIA

SUGGESTED: Melia azadirachta, Melia indica, Azadirachta indica— Persian Lilac, Pride of India, Indian Lilac

? POISONOUS

Melia is a well-known tree, the leaves of which (andtheir juice) taken as a drink with wine (and applied

as a poultice) help those bitten by vipers. The barkburned and rubbed on with water removes leprosy; butthe thin membranous scales of the wood (taken in adrink) are reported to be deadly.

1-109. LEUKE

SUGGESTED: Leucadendron argenteum, Myrtus leucadendron — Silver Tree

Melaleuca leucadendron, Melaleuca cajputi — Punk Tree, Cajeput Oil Tree

One ounce of the bark of the leuke tree (taken as adrink) helps sciatica [pains in hips; sciatic nerves]

and slow painful urination. Taken as a drink with amule’s kidney it is reported to take away conception[abortifacient]; and the leaves of it taken in a drink withwine (after the menstrual flow) are said to do the same.The lukewarm juice of the leaves is good dropped in theears for earache. The filaments which put out at the firstsprouting of the leaves, bruised small and rubbed on with honey, cure moisture of the eyes. Some say that the barkof the white and the black leuke, cut into pieces of a smallsize and scattered (or as it were sown) in beds that aredunged, brings forth edible mushrooms at any time ofthe year.

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1-110. MAKER

SUGGESTED: Myristica moschata — Nutmeg Tree, Mace

bark is a yellow-saffron colour

Macer is a bark brought out of Barbary, a pale yellow,thick and according to the taste very astringent. It

is taken as a drink for spitting-up blood, dysentery, andexcessive discharges of the bowels.

1-111. PTELEA

UNKNOWN

[modern usage] Ptelea trifoliata — Hop Tree, Shrubby Trefoil,Wafer Ash [exotic]

The leaves, branches and bark of ptelea are allastringent. The leaves, pounded into small pieces

with vinegar and so applied, are good for leprosy andheal wounds; but especially the bark, if it is wrappedaround like a bandage, for it is flexible like a girdle. Anowner [?uncia - ounce] of the thicker bark (taken in a drinkwith wine or cold water) expels phlegm. A decoction ofthe leaves or bark of the roots, applied with hot cloths,consolidates by drawing a callum [hard skin] over thefracture of a bone sooner. The moisture which is found inthe bladders [undeveloped fruit] at their first sproutingclears the face when rubbed on it. The same moisture,dried, is formed into little creatures like gnats. The newly- emerged leaves are used for sauce like vegetables.

1-112. SAPROTES XYLON

SUGGESTED: Dry Rot

The rotten stuff like meal which is gathered out of oldwood and stocks of trees cleans ulcers and brings

them to scar when it is laid on them. It also stops serpentia[?snakebite] kneaded together with the same amount ofanise [3-65] and wine, as well as pounded into smallpieces, put into linen and applied.

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GUMS from TREES

111


Erice


112

GUMS from TREES

Chenopodium bonus-henricus


1-113. AIGEIROS

SUGGESTED: Aegiceras majus— River Mangrove ALSO: Astragalus aegiceras

see 4-62

The leaves of aigeiros applied with vinegar help goutypains, and its resin is mixed with softening

medicines. The seed (taken as a drink with vinegar) isgood for epilepsy. It is also reported that the oozingwhich trickles down from them near the river Padusgrows hard and becomes amber, called chrysophorum bysome. This yields a sweet smell when rubbed and lookslike gold. Ground finely and taken as a drink it stopsexcessive discharges of the stomach and bowels.

1-114. KALAMOS NASTOS, SURIGGIOS,DONAX, PHRAGMITES

SUGGESTED: Dendrocalamus strictus — Male Bamboo Donax arundinaceus, Arundo donax — Giant Reed, Bamboo,

Bamboo Reed, Cane Bambusa arundinacea — Common Bamboo

Phragmites communis, Arundo phragmites, Arundo vulgaris — Common Reed, Dutch Reed

Calamus rotang — Rattan Cane, Chair-bottom Cane Syringia vulgaris — Common Lilac, Pipe Tree

One kind of calamus from which arrows are made iscalled nastos, the other is the female from which

bindings are made for the tibia [pipe or flute]. Another iscalled syringias — with much flesh [or pith], very knotty,fit for writing books [paper]. Another is thick and hollow,growing around rivers, called donax and cypria by some.Another is called phragmites — thin, inclined towhiteness, known to all — whose root (bruised,crumbled and applied either by itself or with bulbus[2-200]) draws out splinters and thorns. It soothes limbsthat are out of joint, and pains of the loins [digestive orprocreative, lower torso] with vinegar. The green leaves(pounded and applied) heal erysipela [streptococcal skininfection] and other inflammations. The bark (burnedand applied with vinegar) cures alopecia [baldness]. The

113


paniculae flos [flowers] of the calami [reeds] falling into theears cause deafness. The harundo [reed] called cypria has asimilar effectiveness.

1-115. PAPUROS

SUGGESTED: Cyperus papyrus, Papyrus antiquorum — Papyrus,Nile Papyrus, Paper Reed

Papyrus from which paper is made is known toeveryone. It has particular use in medicine for

opening the mouth of fistulas [tubular ulcers]. It isprepared (steeped in some liquid) and a linen thread tiedaround it until it is dry. Straightened and put in the fistulait is filled with moisture, and upon swelling it opens thefistula. The root is somewhat nourishing. As a result theEgyptians chew it, suck out the juice, and spit out thatwhich they have chewed. They also use it instead ofwood. Papyrus, burnt until it turns it into ashes, restrainserosive ulcers in the mouth and other places, but burntpaper does this better.

1-116. MURIKE, MURRIS

SUGGESTED: Tamarix, Tamarix sylvestris, Tamarix sylvestris foemina [Fuchs],

Tamarix fructiosa folio crassiove sive Germanica [Bauhin] Tamarix articulata, Tamarix germanica [Linnaeus],

Tamarix myrica, Tamarix gallica, Myricaria germanica— Tamarisk

[other usage] Sweet Gale — Myrica gale

Murra, murrha, myrrha - a substance from which precious vases and other vessels aremade.

Myrica or myrris is a well-known tree, growing inmarshy grounds and standing waters, with a fruit

as a flower, of a mossy consistency. Some of it is plantedin gardens in Egypt — in other things like the wild, but itbears fruit like a gall [excrescence on oak trees], unequally astringent to the taste, and used instead of galls inmedicines for the mouth, eyes and spitting of blood. It isgiven in drink to women troubled with colic, those whohave a flowing-forth from the vulva or sickness of the

114

GUMS from TREES

Myrica gale

after FAGUET —- 1880

115


Paliurus aculeatus


116

GUMS from TREES

Cistus creticus


head, and for those bitten by phalangii [harvest spiders].Applied as a poultice it stops oedema. The bark does thesame things, as well as the fruit. A decoction of the leaves(taken as a drink with wine) melts the spleen, andgargled in the mouth it helps toothache. For hip baths it is good for women troubled with a discharge of fluids fromthe vulva, and a heated rub of it is good for those with lice and nits. Ash from the wood (applied) stops flows fromthe uterus. There are some who make cups from thewood which they use for those troubled with spleen (asthough the drink given them from such cups should dothem good).

1-117. EREIKA

SUGGESTED: Erice [Fuchs], Erica vulgaris glabra [Bauhin],Calluna vulgaris [in Sprague] — Heath

Erica is a shrubby tree like myrica [1-116] (but a greatdeal smaller) the flowers of which the bees use, but

they make honey with it that is not good. The leaves andflowers applied as a poultice heal snakebites.

1-118. AKAKALIS

UNKNOWN

Acacalis is the fruit of a shrub growing in Egypt,similar to the fruit of the myrica [1-116]. A dilution of

it is mixed with eye medicines which are good forsharpening the sight.

1-119. RAMNOS TRISSUS

SUGGESTED: Uva-crispa [Fuchs], Grossularia simplici acino,Spinosa sylvestris [Bauhin], Ribes uva-crispa [Linnaeus],

Ribes grossularia [Mabberley] — Gooseberry

[other usage] Common Buckthorn, Purging Buckthorn — Rhamnus catharticus

Rhamnus is a shrub (growing around hedges) withupright stems and sharp thorns like oxyacantha, and

the leaves are small, somewhat long, thick and soft. There

117


is another besides this that is paler, and a third havingdarker and broader leaves, a little inclined to red; withlong stems of five feet and more, thorny, with its hairsless strong and stiff. The fruit of it is broad, white andthin, shaped like a little pouch or whorl. The leaves of allof them are effective rubbed on for erysipelas[inflammatory skin disease] and herpes [viral skininfection]. It is said that the branches laid in gates orwindows drive away the enchantments of witches. [Ifanyone picks up rhamnus while the moon is decreasingand holds it, it is effective against poison and mischief;and it is good for beasts to carry it around them; and for itto be put around ships; and it is good against headaches;and against devils and their assaults.]

It is also called persephonion, or leucacantha, theRomans call it spina alba, some, spina cerualis, and theAfricans call it atadin.

1-120. ALIMOS

SUGGESTED: Atriplex halimus, Chenopodium halimus — Sea Purslane, Sea Orach

see 2-145

Halimus is a hedge-shrub like rhamnus [above] —somewhat white, without filaments. The leaves

almost resemble those of the olive tree, yet they arebroader and more tender. It grows in maritime placesand hedges. The leaves are boiled like vegetables withmeat. One teaspoon of the root (taken as a drink withhoney and water) alleviates convulsions, hernias andgriping, and causes an abundance of milk [inbreastfeeding]. It is also called damassonium, erymon,britannica, rabdion, a sort of little twig, basilion, or a sort ofregia. The Magi call it mercurii basis, or sapsis, some, osiridisdiadema, others, heliostephanon, a sort of corona of the sunor sacer caulis. Pythagoras calls it anthenoron, theEgyptians, asontiri, some, asphe, asealuri, or asariphen, theRomans, albucus, and some, ampelucia.

118

GUMS from TREES

119


Cytinus hypocistis


120

GUMS from TREES

Zizyphus jujuba


1-121. PALIOUROS

SUGGESTED: Paliurus aculeatus, Paliurus australis,Paliurus spina-Christi, Rhamnus paliurus — Christ's Thorn,

Jerusalem Thorn, Garland Thorn

Paliurus is a well-known shrub, prickly and strong.The fat seed is found blackened with fungus. Taken

in a drink it helps coughs, breaks stones [urinary] in thebladder, and is good for the stings of snakes. The leavesand root are therefore astringent; a decoction of them(taken as a drink) regulates the bowels, draws out urine,and is good against poison and the bites of venomousbeasts. The root pounded into small pieces and applied as a plaster dissolves all new tubercula [nodules] and oedema.

1-122. OXUAKANTHA

SUGGESTED: Oxyacantha, Berberis [Fuchs], Berberis dumetorum [Bauhin], Berberis vulgaris [Linnaeus]

— Barberry[other usage] Lac Sumach — Rhus oxyacanthaHawthorn, White Thorn, May Bush, Quick

— Crataegus oxyacantha

Oxyacantha is a tree like a wild pear tree, but smallerand very prickly. It bears a fruit like myrtle — full,

red, easily broken — with a kernel within, and a deeproot divided into many parts.

Taken in a drink or eaten, the fruit stops stomachoutflows and the flows of women. The root bruised smalland applied draws out splinters and thorns. It is said thatthe root is able to cause abortions, the stomach beingtouched gently with it or rubbed with it. It is also calledpyrina, or pytyanthe.

1-123. KUNOSBATON

SUGGESTED: Rubus caninus, Cynobatus, Rosa canina — Dog Rose, Hiprose, Canker Flower, Dog Briar

Cynosbatus [dogs’ bush] (also called oxyacantha) is ashrub much bigger than a common bush — almost

the size of a tree. It bears leaves a great deal broader than

121


myrtle, and has strong hairs around the sprigs, whiteflowers, and somewhat long fruit like the kernel of theolive. When this is ripe it grows red and the stuff within is downy. The dried fruit stops discharges from theintestines (the downy stuff of it is taken out for this isworthless for the arteries). It is made hot in wine andtaken as a drink.

1-124. KUPROS

SUGGESTED: Cyprus, Cypre, Lawsonia inermis, Lawsonia alba — Henna, Egyptian Privet

Cyprus is a tree with leaves on the sprigs like the olive,but broader, softer and greener; the flowers white

and mossy with a sweet smell, and the seed black like thefruit of sambucus [4-174]. The best grows in Ascalon andCanopus. The leaves are astringent, as a result they arechewed to help ulcers in the mouth, and applied as apoultice they cure all other hot inflammations andcarbuncles [malignant tumours]. A decoction of them isused as a warm pack for those burnt by fire. The leaves,pounded into small pieces, are steeped in the juice ofstruthium [2-193] and rubbed on to dye the hair yellow.The flowers (pounded into small pieces and applied theforehead with vinegar) cause headaches to cease. Theointment cyprinum [1-65] that is prepared from itbecomes heating and softens the tendons. It has a sweetsmell which it adds to hot medicines when it is mixedwith them.

1-123. PHILLUREA

SUGGESTED: Phillyrea latifolia — Mock Privet, Jasmine Box

Phillyrea is a tree like cyprus [1-124] in size. Its leaves are like those of the olive tree but broader and darker. It

has fruit like the lentisk [1-90] — black, somewhat sweet,lying in bunches like grapes. It grows in rough places.The leaves are astringent like those of the wild olive[1-37], effective for things that need astringencyespecially ulcers in the mouth, either chewed or the soreswashed with a decoction of it. Taken as a drink it drawsout urine and the menstrual flow.

122

GUMS from TREES

123


Tertium salicis genus


124

GUMS from TREES

Acacia arabica


1-126. KUSTOS ARREN, KUSTOSTHELUS

SUGGESTED: Cistus ellipticus, Helianthemum chamaecistus,Helianthemum vulgare — Common Rockrose, Sunrose

Cistus creticus, Cistus vulgaris, Cistus polymorphus— Cretan Rockrose

Cistus (also called cistharon or cissaron) is a shrubwhich grows in rocky places. It has many low

branches full of round, black, rough leaves. The flowersof the male are like the pomegranate, but the female arewhite. It has an astringent quality; as a result the flowers(pounded into small pieces and taken as a drink twice aday in sharp wine) are good for dysentery. Applied as apoultice by themselves they stop gangrenous ulcerationof the cheeks, and with a stiff ointment they heal burnsand old ulcers.

1-127. UPOKUSTIS, UPOKISTIS ETERA

SUGGESTED: Cytinus hypocistis — Hypocistis

parasitic plant — contains gallic acid

Hypocistis grows around the roots of the cistus [rockroses] like cytinus on the pomegranate. Some of it is

yellow, some green, some white. It is juiced like acacia,but some dry and break it, then steep and boil it, and doother things to it in the same way as lycium [1-132]. It issimilar in strength to acacia, yet more astringent anddrying — good for those troubled with colic, dysentery,blood-spitting, or women's excessive discharges — takeneither as a drink or infused. It is called robethrum, orcytinus by some. The Africans call it phyllesade.

1-128. LADANON

SUGGESTED: Ladanum, Labdanum, Cistus ladaniferus, Cistus creticus — Gum Cistus, Ladanum Resin Tree

Cistus ledon — Many-flavoured Gum Cistus

There is also another kind of cistus, called ledum bysome. It is a shrub growing in the same way as cistus,

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but it has longer, darker leaves, acquiring some fat in thespring. The strength of the leaves is astringent, doing allthe things that cistus does. That which we call ladanum ismade from this plant. The he-goats and she-goats feed on the leaves of it and evidently carry away the fat fromthem on their beards and thighs because it has a viscousnature. This is taken off, strained, fashioned into littleballs and stored. Some draw little cords across the shrubs, take off the greasy matter that adheres to them and shape it. The best has a sweet smell, is somewhat green, easilysoftened, fat, without sand — not foul and resinous suchas that growing in Cyprus — but the Arabic and Libyanhas less value.

It is astringent, warming and softening, and opensclosely-touching [blood] vessels. It prevents hair fallingout [alopecia] mixed with wine, myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116]and oil of myrtle. Rubbed on with wine it makes scarslook more handsome. It cures earache dropped in theears with honey water or rosaceum [1-53]. The smoke isinhaled to expel the afterbirth, and mixed in a pessary itcures hard lumps in the womb. It is effective inpain-relievers, cough medicines and warm compresses.Taken as a drink with old wine it stops discharges of thebowels, and it is also diuretic.

1-129. EBENOS

SUGGESTED: Diospyros ebenum — Ceylon EbonyEbenus cretica, Anthyllis cretica — Cretan Silver Bush

The Ethiopian ebenus [ebony] is best — black, withoutveins, as smooth as a horn that has been polished —

which shows thick [close or compact] when broken,biting to the taste and gently astringent. Laid on coalsand burnt like incense it yields a sweet smell withoutsmoke. That which is new when put on fire is quicklykindled because of its fat, and it turns somewhat yellowon a whetstone. There is another (called Indian) withstreaks of white and yellow running between as well asmany spots. But the former is better. Some sell the woodof sesame and acanthus (because they are somewhatsimilar) as ebenus. They are known by this: — they arehollow like a sponge, and are formed into small piecesinclining to a purple colour with nothing biting in the

126

GUMS from TREES

127


Vitex agnus-castus

after BOCQUILLON — 1897

128

GUMS from TREES

Salix fragilis


taste nor sweet-smelling when burnt. Ebenus cleans awaythings which darken the pupils of the eyes, and it is goodfor old discharges and pustules. If anyone makes agrinding pad of it, and uses it to rub eye salves orsuppositories on they will work better. It is made into eyemedicines: the scrapings or dust from it steeped in Chian[from Scios in the Aegean sea] wine for a day and a night,then carefully pounded and converted into eye salves orsuppositories. Some beat it first, then sift it and proceedin the same way. Some use water instead of wine. It is also burnt in a new ceramic jar until it becomes coals, and isthen washed like burnt lead [5-96]. This is good foritching eyes and dry inflammation of the eyes.

1-130. RHODON

SUGGESTED: Rosa, Rosa hortensis et sylvestris [Fuchs],Rosa rubra [Bauhin], Rosa gallica [Linnaeus]

— Common Rose, French Rose

Rodon [roses] cool and are astringent, and dried rosesare more astringent. The juice must be pressed out of

them whilst they are still young, first cutting off thatwhich is called the nail (which is the white that is in thepetal), and the rest must be pounded and pounded in theshade in a mortar until it becomes thick, and then put injars for eye salves or suppositories. The leaves are alsodried in the shade. They must be turned over now andthen least otherwise they putrefy or grow mouldy. Dried roses (boiled in wine and strained) are good forheadaches, as well as the eyes, ears and gums, and pain of the perineum, intestine, rectum and vulva, applied witha feather or washed with the liquid. The same (withoutstraining) bruised, boiled and applied, are good forinflammation of the area below the ribs, moistness of thestomach and erysipela [streptococcal skin infection]. Roses (dried and pounded into small pieces) are sprinkled onthe thighs. They are put in compositions called antherae[medicines extracted from flowers] and in woundantidotes. They are burnt for medicines to make theeyelids look pleasing. The part of the flower that is foundin the middle of the roses (dried and sprinkled on) isgood for gum discharges. The heads [hips] (taken in adrink) stop loose intestines and blood-spitting.

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1-131. RHODIDES

SUGGESTED: Rhodides, Rosa, Rosa hortensis, Rosa sylvestris[Fuchs], Rosa rubra [Bauhin], Rosa gallica [Linnaeus]

— Pomanders of Roses, Common Rose, French Rose

Pomanders of roses (which they call rhodides) are made in the following way. Take forty teaspoonfuls of

fresh roses (which are beginning to fade) before theyhave absorbed any moisture, ten teaspoonfuls of Indiannard [1-6] and six teaspoonfuls of myrrh [1-77, 1-73,4-116]. These are pounded into small pieces and madeinto little balls the size of half a teaspoonful, dried in theshade, and stored in a jar made without pitch, tightlycorked all around. Some also add two teaspoons of costus[1-15] and as much Illyrian iris, also mixing in Chian[from Scios in the Aegean sea] wine with honey. This isused around women’s necks instead of necklaces, dulling the unsavoury smell of sweat. They use the same(pounded into small pieces) in medicines made to repress sweat, and in ointments to rub on after bathing; andwhen they have dried on the skin they are washed offwith cold water.

1-132. LUKION

SUGGESTED: Lycium europaeum — European Box Thorn Lycium lanceolatum, Rhamnus infectorius [Matthiolus]

— Spear-leaved Box Thorn

Lycium (also called pyxacantha) is a thorny tree withstems of three feet or longer around which the leaves

grow thickly, similar to box. It has a black fruit similar topepper — bitter, thick, smooth; a pale bark also similarwhen moistened, and many winding and woody roots. Itgrows abundantly in Cappadocia, Lycia and many otherplaces. It loves rough places. The juice is drawn out of theleaves and shrubby stuff, pounded together and steepedfor many days. Then it is boiled, the woody matter of itremoved, and the liquid boiled again until it becomes theconsistency of honey. It is counterfeited by the sedimentof oil being mixed with it when boiled, or the juice ofwormwood [3-26], or an ox gall. The froth which swimson top during boiling is taken off and bottled for eye

130

GUMS from TREES

131


Elaeagnus angustifolius


132

GUMS from TREES

Oxyacantha


medicines, but the rest is used for other purposes.Similarly, juice is made from the fruit pressed out and leftin the sun. The best lycium takes fire and as it is quenchedhas a red foam. It is outwardly black but when it is cutyellow, without a stinking smell, astringent withbitterness, the colour of saffron — such as the Indianwhich is better than the rest and more effective. It isastringent and removes things that darken the pupils. Itheals scabs on the eyelids, their itching and olddischarges. Rubbed on it is good for pus-filled ears,tonsils, ulcerous gums, chapped lips, cracks in theperineum, and affritus [chafing] of the perineum. It isgood for those troubled with colic and dysentery eithertaken as a drink or given as a suppository. It is given inwater to those who spit-up blood, and those troubledwith coughs, and is swallowed down like pills or taken asa drink with water for one bitten by a mad dog. It makeshair look yellow. It heals hangnails, whitlows, shinglesand putrefying ulcers. It stops the menstrual flows ofwomen. It helps those bitten by mad beasts, taken as adrink with milk or swallowed down like pills.

It is said that the Indian lycium is made of a shrubcalled lonchitis [3-161, 3-162]. But it is a kind of thorn thathas many upright stems, three feet long or more, growing out of the bottom, thicker than the bush, the broken barklooking red but the leaves similar to those of the olivetree. Boiled in vinegar and taken as a drink it is said tocure inflammation of the spleen and sickness of the head,and to expel women’s flows. Given raw (pounded intosmall pieces) and taken in a drink it is said to have asimilar effect. One half-wineglass of the seed (taken indrink) purges out watery matter, and is an antidoteagainst deadly medicines.

1-133. AKAKIA

SUGGESTED: Acacia, Akakia, Acacia senegal, Acacia arabica, Acacia nilotica, Mimosa arabica, Acacia gummifera,

Mimosa gummifera, Acacia stenocarpia — Gum Arabic Acacia catechu, Mimosa catechu, Mimosa catechoides

— Black Cutch, Kutch [Catcho or Kat 16th century]

Acacia grows in Egypt. It is a thornbush with manybranches, growing almost to the size of a tree. It does

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not grow upright; it has a white flower, and the fruit liesin pods like lupin [2-132]. From this a juice is pressed outand dried in the shade. It looks black if it is made of theripe fruit, but a pale yellow if it is made of the unripe.Choose that which is a little yellow, sweet-smelling, as far as is fit in acacia. Some juice the leaves together with thefruit. There is also a gum that comes out of this thornwhich is astringent and cooling. The juice is good for eyediseases, erysipela [streptococcal skin infection], creepingsores, chilblains, pterygium [membrane on eye], ulcers ofthe mouth, and falling [sunken] eyes. It stops the flows ofwomen as well as prolapse of the vulva. It is therapeuticfor the bowels taken as a drink or a suppository, and itdyes hair black. Pounded with water it is a wash for eyediseases. That which coalesces is then poured out (untilthe water remains clean) and is made up into little balls. It is burnt in an unfired clay jar in a furnace until the jaritself is thoroughly burned. It is burnt on coals, the firekept kindled with bellows. A decoction of the thornscloses together loose joints applied with hot cloths. Thegum of the thorns is the best — which is vermiculatum —resembling glass, transparent, not woody; next to this isthe white gum; but that which is resinous and foul isuseless. It is able to close pores and dull the strength ofsharp medicines with which it is mixed. Daubed on withan egg it does not allow burns to break out into pustules.

Another acacia grows in Cappadocia and Pontus,similar to the Egyptian but a great deal smaller, growinglow and being more tender, surrounded crosswise withfilaments, and having leaves similar to rue [3-52, 3-53]. Inthe autumn it bears seed somewhat smaller than lentil, inpods joined together each containing three or four seedsapiece. The juice of this (drawn out of the whole plant) istherapeutic for the bowels, but is of less strength anduseless in eye medicines.

1-134. AMORGE

SUGGESTED: Amurca — Sediment of Olive Oil

Amurca is the sediment of oil which has been pressedout and boiled in a jar made of Cyprian brass until it

is the consistency of honey. It is therapeutic for thebowels, and rubbed on with wine, vinegar, or honeyed

134

GUMS from TREES

135


Quercus pedicularis


136

GUMS from TREES

Myrtus communis


wine is as effective as lycium [1-132] for toothaches andwounds. It is mixed with medicines that are good for theeyes and for closing pores. Growing old it becomes better. Taken as an infusion it is good for the perineum, thegenitals, and ulcerated vulvas. It extracts spoiled teeth,boiled to the consistency of honey with unripe olive oiland smeared around them. It heals scabs on beasts[veterinary] rubbed on with a decoction of lupins [2-132]and chamaeleon [3-10, 3-11]. Used without boiling andnew in a warm pack it assists those troubled with gout intheir feet and joints. Put onto a fleece and applied onthose who have dropsy it represses the swelling.

1-135. AGNOS

SUGGESTED: Vitex agnus-castus — Agnus Castus, Hemp Tree,Chaste-tree

Agnus [vitex] is a shrub almost as high as a tree bearing long sprigs, growing near and in watery fields and

in rough and uneven places. It is hard to break and theleaves are similar to those of the olive tree yet moretender and bigger. Some of them bear white flowersinclining to purple, others purple flowers; and the seed islike that of pepper. It is warming and astringent and thefruit (taken as a drink) helps those stung by snakes, thesplenetic, and those with dropsy. A teaspoonful (taken asa drink in wine) brings down milk [breastfeeding] andexpels the menstrual flow. It destroys generation [birthcontrol] and is rubbed on the head bringing on a deepsleep. A decoction of the herb and seed is good as a hipbath for disorders and inflammation around the womb.The seed (taken in a drink with pulegium [3-36], or thesmoke inhaled or applied) causes purgation. It dissolvesheadaches applied as a poultice, and is gently poured onthe lethargic and mentally ill with vinegar and oil. Theleaves either smoked and inhaled or scattered arounddrive away venomous creatures, and applied as apoultice they help those stung by such beasts. Appliedwith butter and vine leaves they soothe hardness of thetestes [old English: ovaries]. The seeds smeared on withwater lessen cracks in the perineum, and with the leavesit heals dislocated joints and wounds. It is thought to be apreventative for chafing and blisters if anyone (as he

137


travels) holds a rod of it in his hand. It is called agnusbecause in the sacrifices to Ceres the chaste matrons usedit for sprinkling under them; and it is called lygos (that is,vimen) because of the difficulty of breaking the stems. It isalso called agonon (as we should say, unfruitful or barren), or lygon, a sort of vimen [producing long flexible shoots],amictomiaenon, or tridactylon; the Magi call it semnon, a sort of venerandum [to be respected]; it is also called sanguisibis, the Egyptians call it sum, the Romans, salix marina,others call it piper agreste, and some, ligusticum.

1-136. ITEA

SUGGESTED: Primum salicis genus, Alterum salicis genus [Fuchs], Salix purpurea, Salix vitellina, Salix repens [Linnaeus]

— Creeping Willow [Mabberley][other usage] Itea ilicifolia, Itea virginica, Itea riparia

Itea is a tree known to all whose fruit, leaves, bark andjuice are astringent. The leaves pounded into small

pieces and taken in a drink with a little pepper and winehelp those troubled with iliaca passio [painful intestinalobstruction]. Taken by themselves with water they causeinconception [birth control]. The fruit (taken in a drink) isgood for those who spit blood, and the bark does thesame. Burnt and steeped in vinegar it takes away callusesand corns, rubbed on them. The juice from the leaves and bark warmed with rosaceum [1-53] in a cup of malumpunicum [pomegranate] helps sores in the ears, and adecoction of them is an excellent warm pack for gout. Italso cleans away scurf [eczema]. A juice is taken from it atthe time of its flowering, the bark being cut, for it is foundcoalesced within. It has the ability to clean away thingsthat darken the pupils.

138

GUMS from TREES

139


Punica granatum


140

GUMS from TREES

Prunus cerasus


1-137. AGRIELAIA

SUGGESTED: Olea europaea var oleaster — Wild Olive Elaeagnus angustifolia— Oleaster, Oil Tree,

Zakkoum Oil Plant Elaeis guineensis — Oil Palm

Cotinus coggyria, Rhus cotinus — Venetian Sumach, Smoke Tree

The wild olive tree (also called cotinon or the Ethiopianolive tree) has leaves of an astringent nature which

— pounded into small pieces and so applied — are able to restrain erysipela [streptococcal skin infection], shingles[herpes], epinyctis [pustules which appear only at night],carbuncles [malignant tumours], gangrenous ulceration,hangnails and whitlows; and (applied with honey) totake away scabs. They clean foul ulcers and dispel painand inflammation. Applied with honey they retain skinthat was torn on the head. They also heal ulcers in themouth and apthae [thrush in children or candidiasis]when chewed. Their juice and a decoction of them doesthe same. The juice applied stops eruption of the blood,the flows of women, staphylomata [inflammatoryprotrusion of the cornea] in the eyes, and pustules [pusunder skin], as well as ulcers and old dripping fluids. As aresult put into eye salves they are good for ulcers of theeyelids. To extract the juice you must beat the leaves intosmall pieces and pour in wine or water, then strain it out,and having dried it in the sun, make it up into little balls.That which is strained out with wine is far stronger andfitter to be kept in store than that which is strained outwith water. It is good for ulcerous ears that are full ofdischarges. The leaves smeared on with barley meal aregood for coeliac [intestinal complaints]. The leaves (andthis serves instead of spodium, calcined powder) are burnt together with the flowers in an unfired clay jar the mouth of which must be well sealed until the jar is thoroughlybaked. Afterwards they are quenched with wine, thenkneaded together again with wine and burnt in the sameway. Afterwards they are washed like cerussa [white leadore] and made up into balls. It seems that burnt like this itcomes nothing short of spodium [calcined powder] for eye medicines; as a result it is to be considered of equalstrength.

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1-138. ELAIA

SUGGESTED: Olea europaea — Olive

The leaves of the cultivated olive are good for the same purposes but have less strength — as a result they are

better for eye medicines because of their mildness. Themoisture which comes out of the burnt green wood(rubbed on) heals dandruff, parasitic skin diseases andlichen [papular skin disease]. The fruit applied as apoultice heals dandruff and gangrenous ulceration of the cheeks. That which is within the kernel pulls off scabbynails used with animal fat and corn meal.

1-139. ELAIA KOLUMBADES

SUGGESTED: Olea europaea — Pickled Olives, Olive

Pickled olives pounded into small pieces and appliedas a poultice will not allow burns to grow into

blisters, and they clean foul ulcers.The liquid of the brineused as a mouthwash strengthens gums and loose teeth.The olive which is pale yellow and new is worthless forthe intestines but good for the stomach. That which isblack and ripe is easily spoiled and bad for the stomach,as well as hurtful to the eyes and a cause of headaches.Roasted and applied as a poultice it prevents gangrenousulceration, and emarginates [removes the edge of]carbuncles [infected boils] [malignant skin tumours].

1-140. AGRIELAIA ELAION

SUGGESTED: Olea europaea var oleaster — Wild Olive

The oil of the wild olive is a mouth rinse for moistrotten gums, and it settles loose teeth. A warm pack

of it warmed and used as a mouthwash is a suitablemedicine for rheumatic gums, but wool dipped into theoil must be placed around the gums with an instrumentuntil they look white.

142

GUMS from TREES

143


Ceratonia siliqua


144

GUMS from TREES

Aegle marmelos


1-141. DAKRUON ELAIAS AITHIOPIKES

SUGGESTED: Olea europaea var oleaster — Wild Olive Elaeagnus angustifolia— Oleaster, Oil Tree,

Zakkoum Oil Plant Elaeis guineensis — Oil Palm

Cotinus coggyria, Rhus cotinus — Venetian Sumach, Smoke Tree

The third pressing of olive oil is also called tree oil.

The oozing of the Ethiopian olive tree in a wayresembles scammony. It is a deep yellow consisting

of little drops of a biting nature. That which is similar togum and ammoniacal — blackish, and not biting to thetaste — is useless. The olive tree and wild olive tree bearsuch a gum as this. It is good for moisture of the sight, and rubbed on it cleans scars and white spots on the cornea ofthe eyes. It induces the movement of urine and themenstrual flow, and it is effective for toothache put intothe cavities. It is categorised among medicines that aredestructive, it expels the birth, and cures impetigo [skininfection] and lepra [old use — psoriasis]. The wild olivetree is also called the Ethiopian olive tree.

1-142. DRUS

SUGGESTED: Quercus cum longo pediculo [Bauhin], Quercus robur [Linnaeus], Quercus pedunculata,

Quercus sessiflora — Oak

Each part of the oak is astringent, but the film whichlies between the bark and the stock (similar to that

under the cup of the acorn) is most therapeutic for thebowels. A decoction of this is given for coeliac [intestinalcomplaints], dysentery, and to blood-spitters, andpounded into small pieces it is put into suppositories forwomen troubled with excessive discharges of the womb.

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1-143. BALANOI

SUGGESTED: Quercus robur, Quercus pedunculata, Quercus sessiflora, Quercus aegilops, Quercus cerris,

Quercus coccifera — Acorns, Oak Quercus ilex, Quercus ballota — Holly Oak

Quercus infectoria, Quercus lusitanica — Gall Oak, Dyer’s Oak,Nut Gall Oak

Acorns produce the same effects as they are alsodiuretic. Eaten as meat they cause headaches and

are wind-inducing, but also help poisonous bites. Adecoction of them and their bark (taken as a drink withcows' milk) helps poisoning. The unripe ones poundedinto small pieces and applied as a poultice relieveinflammation. With salted swines’ grease they are goodfor malignant calluses and injurious ulcers. Those of theilex [holly oak — Quercus ilex] have greater strength thanthose of the oak.

1-144. PHEGOS, PRINOS

SUGGESTED: Fagus sylvatica — Common Beech, European Beech Tree

[Pliny] Prinus, Quercus ballota — Holm Oak, Great Scarlet Oak

The fagus of Virgil was the Quercus aesculus [Loudon].

Fegus and prinus, both a kind of oak, have similareffects, and the bark of the root of prinus boiled in

water until it becomes tender and rotten and applied fora whole night dyes the hair black. It is first made cleanwith Cimolian earth [5-176]. The leaves of all of thembruised and pounded into small pieces help oedema, and strengthen feeble parts.

146

GUMS from TREES

Quercus robur


147


Pyrus communis


148

GUMS from TREES

Prunus persica


FRUIT from TREES1-145. KASTANA

SUGGESTED: Castanea [Fuchs], Castanea sylvestris [Bauhin],Fagus castanea [Linnaeus], Castanea sativa, Castanea vesca,

Castanea vulgaris — Chestnut, Sweet Chestnut

The Sardian nuts (also called lopima, castana, mota orJupiter’s acorns) being astringent also have the same

effects [as other astringents], and especially the looseskins between the flesh and the shell. The flesh is goodfor those who drink ephemerum [4-85] [antidote].

1-146. KEKIDES

SUGGESTED: Quercus lusitanica, Quercus infectoria — Dyer’s Oak, Gall Oak, Nut Gall Oak

Cecides [galla] is a fruit of the oak, of which some iscalled omphacitis. It is little, knobby, heavy and

without a hole. Some is smooth and light and has a holein it, but the omphacitis ought to be chosen as it is the mosteffective. Either of them is strongly astringent. Poundedinto small pieces they stop abnormal growths of the flesh, and stop discharges of the gums and the middle ear, aswell as ulcers of the mouth. That which is in the middle of them put into the cavities of teeth eases the pain. Laid onhot coals until they are set on fire and quenched withwine, vinegar, or brine made with vinegar they are ableto staunch blood. A decoction of them is good in hipbaths for a prolapsed uterus and for discharges. Theymake the hair black steeped in vinegar or water. They aregood for coeliac [intestinal complaints] and dysenterypounded into small pieces and rubbed on, or taken as adrink with wine or water, and also mixed with sauce, orfirst boiled whole in water (with which you must boilsomething else too, of things that are good for people).Generally where there is need of an astringent, or to stopor dry, you ought to make use of them.

149


1-147. ROUS

SUGGESTED: Rhus coriaria — Tanning Sumach

Rhus (which is sprinkled among sauces and also called erythrum) is the fruit of rhus coriaria, which is called

this because tanners use it for thickening their hides. It isa little tree which grows on rocks — two feet high, theleaves somewhat long and red, jagged all around. Thefruit is like little bunches of grapes — thick, the size ofthat of terminthos [1-91], and somewhat broad. Thatwhich encloses the fruit is very useful. The leaves areastringent and good for the same purposes as acacia. Adecoction dyes the hair black, and is a suppository fordysentery. It is a liquid medicine, hip bath, and aninstillation for discharges of the ears. The leaves appliedas a poultice with vinegar or honey stop pterygium[membrane on the eye] and gangrene. The juice of thedried leaves boiled with water to the consistency ofhoney are as useful for as many things as lycium [1-132].The fruit does the same things (being food) in mixing itwith meat for coeliac [intestinal complaints] anddysentery. Applied as a plaster with water it preventsinflammation of fractures, desquamation or skin peeling,and blueness of wounds. It cleans rough tongues withhoney. It prevents the excessive discharges called whites[leucorrhoea — a mucosal vaginal discharge] and cureshaemorrhoids, applied with oak coals pounded intosmall pieces. The boiled liquid of this fruit gathers acream that is better for these purposes than the fruit itself. It also leaves a gum which is put into the cavities of teethto take away their pain.

150

FRUIT from TREES

Rhus coraria


151


Zizyphus spina-christi


152

FRUIT from TREES

Prunus mahaleb


FRUIT TREES1-148. PHOINIX

SUGGESTED: Poma, Phoenix dactylifera — Dates, Date Palm Phoenix sylvestris — Wild Palm

The palm tree grows in Egypt. The fruit is gathered inthe autumn, the ripening time being half over. It is

similar to the Arabic myrobalan [1-40, 4-160] and it is calledpoma. It is a green colour, and similar to cydonium [1-160]in smell, but if it is left alone until it comes to the fullripeness it becomes dates. It is sour and astringent and istaken in a drink with hard wine for discharges from tooth sockets and the menstrual flows of women. It stopshaemorrhoids and glues wounds together if it is rubbedon. Fresh dates are more astringent than dried. Theycause headaches and if eaten in too great an abundancewith meat they inebriate. Dried dates eaten with meat are good for blood-spitting, the stomach, and dysentery. It ispounded into small pieces with cydonium [1-160] and thewaxy ointment oenanthinum [from vine shoots orblossoms] and rubbed on for disorders of the bladder.The caryotae [pips, seeds] heal roughness of the arteries ifeaten.

1-149. PHOINIKES THEBAIKAI

SUGGESTED: Hyphaene thebaica, Hyphaene coccifera, Coccifera thebaica, Corypha thebaica, Douma thebaica

— Doum Palm, Gingerbread Tree

A drink of a decoction of the Thebaean palm relieves a fever’s burning heat, and taken with old honey

water it restores the strength. Eaten with meat it does thesame. A wine is also made of it that has the same strengthas the fruit. A decoction taken as a drink alone (andgargled up and down as well) is strongly astringent. Theseeds of the dates are burnt in a new ceramic jar like allothers are, then quenched and washed in wine. Theyserve well instead of spodium [calcined powder] to makethe eyelids pleasing, and if they are not sufficiently burntthey must be burnt again. They are astringent and close

153


the pores, also being good for pustules in the eyes andstaphylomata [inflammatory protrusion of the cornea];and for dripping fluids of the eyelids (some nard [1-6, 1-7, 1-8, 1-10] being mixed with them). With wine they stopabnormal growths of the flesh and bring ulcers to a scar.The best seeds come out of Egypt from the low-growingpalms.

1-150. PHOINIX ELATE

SUGGESTED: Palma, Elate, Spatha, Phoenix dactylifera — Palm, Coverings of Date Fruits, Date Palm

Borassus flabellifer — Palmyra Palm, Tal Palm, Great Fan Palm

yields wine and sugar

Palma which is also called elate or spatha is theenclosure [or cup] of the fruit of the date trees as yet

flourishing. The dealers in unguents [ointments] use itfor thickening their ointments. The best issweet-smelling, astringent, heavy, enclosed, having thatwithin it fat. It is astringent for stopping feeding ulcers,and it draws loose joints together if it is pounded intosmall pieces and mixed together with warm compressesand poultices. It is good for the thoracic area [heart], astomach that is out of tune, and disorders of the liver,mixed with poultices suitable for this purpose. Adecoction of it dyes the hair black if it is rubbed on itrepeatedly. Given in drink it is good for inflammation inthe kidneys, and disorders of the bladder and the bowels. It stops discharges of the intestines and a womb troubledwith an excessive discharge. Boiled whilst it is tender andapplied with rosin and wax for twenty days together itcures psoriasis. The fruit which is contained inside iscalled elate or borassus and that is also astringent andproduces the same effects as spatha [above], except that itis not so good in ointments. The white marrow of thestalk (eaten while it is new, or else boiled) is good for thesame things as borassus.

154

FRUIT TREES

155


Arbutus unedo


156

FRUIT TREES

Pistacia vera


1-151. RHOA

SUGGESTED: Punica granatum — Carthaginian Apple,Pomegranate

All sorts of pomegranates have a pleasant taste andare good for the stomach, yet they do not nourish.

Of these the sweetest are best for the stomach, producingsome heat around the stomach, and are flatulent as aresult unsuitable for those with acute fever. That which issharp helps a burning stomach, is more contractive andmore diuretic, but tastes unpleasant to the mouth and isastringent. That which tastes similar to wine has a middle strength. The kernel of the sharp one (dried in the sunthen sprinkled on meat and boiled together with it) stopsdischarges of the intestines and excessive dischargesfrom the stomach. Steeped in rain water and taken as adrink it helps blood-spitters, and is good in hip baths fordysentery and the fluids of childbirth. The juice of thekernels (pressed out, then boiled and mixed with honey)is good for ulcers in the mouth, genitals and perineum;also for pterygium [membranes, webs] between thefingers, gangrenous ulcers, abnormal growths in ulcers,earache, and sores in the nostrils. This helps especially ifthe juice is pressed out of the grains of sharppomegranates.

1-152. KUTINOI

SUGGESTED: Cytini, Punica granatum— calyx of Pomegranate Flowers

The flowers of this (which are also called cytini) areastringent, drying and restringent, and agglutinate

bloody wounds, being good for the same purposes aspomegranates. A decoction makes a mouth rinse formoist flagging gums and loose teeth, and it is put intopoultices as a glue for teeth which are broken, [to repairthe damage]. Some relate that whoever swallows downthree cytini (though ever so little) shall not be troubledwith eye sores all that year. They are juiced like hypocistis[1-127].

157


Punica granatum


1-153. SIDIA

SUGGESTED: Sidia, Punica granatum — Pomegranate Rinds

The rinds of pomegranate (also called sidia) are alsoastringent and good for the same purposes as cytini

[pomegranate flowers]. A decoction of the roots expelsand kills worms hidden in the intestines.

1-154. BALAUSTION

SUGGESTED: Balaustion [Bedevian], Punica protopunica[Mabberley] — Wild Pomegranate Tree

Balaustium is the flower of wild pomegranate of whichthere are many kinds — some white, some red and

some a rosy colour. It is similar to cytini and is juiced inthe same way as hypocistis. It is astringent and good forthe same purposes as hypocistis and cytini [flowers ofpomegranate].

1-155. MURSINE


[other usage] Myrsine africana — African Myrsine

see 4-146

The cultivated black myrtle is more effective for bodily uses than the white, and that which grows on the

hills is the best, yet it has the weakest fruit. The herb andfruit are astringent. Both the green and dried fruit aregiven to eat to those who spit blood, and to thosetroubled with erosions of the bladder. The juice of greenmyrtle pressed out has the same effect, being good for the stomach and diuretic. It is good with wine for the bites ofharvest spiders and one stung by a scorpion. A decoctionof the fruit dyes the hair. Boiled with wine and applied asa poultice it heals ulcers that arise in the extremities of the body. Applied with flour of meal it lessens inflammationin the eyes. It is rubbed on for ulcers in the inner angle ofthe eye. The wine that is made from the fruit, pressed and boiled a little (for that which is not quickly grows sour)

158

FRUIT TREES

159


Juglans regia


160

FRUIT TREES

Morus alba


and taken as a drink beforehand, prevents [the effects of]excessive indulgence, and is good for the same things asthe fruit. In hip baths it is good for prolapse of the vulvaand perineum, and for women troubled with excessivemenstrual flows from the vulva. It cleans dandruff, scalyeruptions of the hairy scalp and rashes such as measles,and it prevents hair falling out.

It is mixed with gentle plasters (which they call liparas) as is the oil that is made from the leaves. Similarly adecoction of the leaves is good for bathing joints that areloosened, and joints which grow together with difficulty.For fractures that grow together with difficulty it iseffective applied with hot cloths. It cleans vitiligines [form of leprosy]. It is dropped in to cure ears full of discharge,and is used for blackening the hair, and the juice does thesame. The leaves themselves pounded into small piecesand applied as a poultice with water are good for themoisture of ulcers, all places subject to excessivedischarges, and for coeliac [intestinal complaints]. Oil ofunripe olives or a little rosaceum [1-53] and wine mixedtogether [with this] are good for shingles [herpes],erysipelas [febrile disease with skin inflammation],inflammation of the testium [old use: ovaries], epinyctis[pustules which appear only at night] and joints. The dryleaves pounded into small pieces are effective scatteredon paronychiae [whitlows], pterygium [membranes, webs],and on armpits and thighs that are moist, and it preventssweats from cardiandi [disease of the heart]. Burnt or elseused raw with stiff ointment they heal burns, pterygium[membranes, webs] and paronychiae [whitlows]. Theleaves are juiced by pouring old wine or rain water onthem and straining it out. It must be used newly-made for when old it putrefies and loses its strength.

1-156. MURTIDANON

SUGGESTED: Myrtidanum — Fungal growth on Myrtle

Myrtidanum is that which grows on myrtle —unequal and standing out, similar to a wart and

the same colour, similar to hands clasping around thebody of the myrtle. It is more therapeutic for the bowelsthan myrtle. Bruised and mixed with hard wine andmade into pellets, it is dried in the shade and put in jars to

161


store. It is more effective than the fruit and leaves. It ismixed with stiff ointments, suppositories, baths,poultices, and anywhere there is need of an astringent.

1-157. KERASIA

SUGGESTED: Cerasus [Fuchs], Prunus cerasus, Cerasus vulgaris, Cerasus acida, Cerasus caproniana — Cherry

Cerasus avium, Prunus avium [Linnaeus] — Sour Cherry, Gean Cherry, Hedge Berry

Cerasia that are eaten when fresh are good for theintestines, and dried they stop discharges of the

bowels. The gum from cerasia heals an old cough takenwith diluted wine. It causes a good colour, sharpness ofsight and appetite. Taken in a drink with wine it is goodfor those troubled with kidney stones.

1-158. KERATIA

SUGGESTED: Ceratonia siliqua — Carob Tree, Locust Tree, St John's Bread

The pods (taken while they are fresh) are bad for thestomach and loosen the intestines, but dried they

stop discharges of the bowels. They are also better for thestomach and diuretic, especially combined with theremains left after pressing out grapes.

1-159. MELEA



Malus communis, Malus sylvestris, Pomus, Pyrus malus — Apple

The leaves, blossoms and sprigs of all sorts of meleatrees are astringent, especially those of the quince

tree. The unripe fruit is astringent, but if ripe it is not so.Those apples which are ripe in the springtime encouragebile, are hurtful to all that is sinewy, and are flatulent.

162

FRUIT TREES

163


Ficus carica


164

FRUIT TREES

Avellana domestica


1-160. KUDONIA



Cydonia are good for the stomach and diuretic. If theyare roasted they become milder and good for

intestinal complaints and dysentery. Raw quinces areespecially good for those who spit up purulent matterand for biliousness. The water in which these have beensteeped is good as a drink for those troubled withexcessive discharges from the stomach or bowels. Thejuice of the raw ones is taken and is good for orthopnoea[form of asthma], and a decoction is good in warm packsfor prolapse of the perineum and vulva. In honey (orthose preserved in honey) they are diuretic but the honey takes their strength and becomes astringent. Boiled withhoney they are good for the stomach and pleasant to taste but less astringent. The same raw fruit is put into plastersto stop the bowels, as well as for churning and burning inthe stomach, inflamed breasts, spleens that have grownhard, and for joints. Furthermore after they are wellpounded and pressed a wine is made from them, and sothat it may keep longer there is mixed with it one unit ofhoney to sixteen units of juice or else it would go sour.This is good for all the things previously specified. Anointment is made of these called melinum which we usewhen we need an astringent oil. You must choose out theright quinces — small and round and with a good scent;but those which are called struthia [ostrich-like] and arebig are less effective. The dried blossoms as well as thefresh are suitable in plasters made for things that need anastringent, and besides this they are good (taken in adrink of wine) for inflammation of the eyes, bloodyvomiting, tooth sockets that discharge fluids, and attacksmensium [monthly, menstrual problems].

165


Cydonia vulgaris


1-161. MELIMELA

SUGGESTED: Melimela — Honey Apples, Must Apples, Cider Apples

Melimela soften the intestines and drive livingcreatures from there [worms]. They are bad for the

stomach and cause a burning heat. They are calledglycymela by some — as we should say, sweet apples.

1-162. MELA EPEIROTIKA

SUGGESTED: Pyrus pumila, Pyrus praecox — Apple

epirot — one who dwells inland

The fruit of epirotica (which the Latins call orbiculata)are good for the stomach and astringent in the

intestines, encouraging urine [diuretic], yet less effectivethan quinces.

1-163. AGRIOMELA

SUGGESTED: Pyrus malus var sylvestris — Crab Apples, Wild Apples

Wild apples are similar to spring apples and areastringent, but for those things which need an

astringent you must use those which are least ripe.

1-164. PERSICA MELA

SUGGESTED: Persica [Fuchs], Persica molli carne [Bauhin]Persica malus, Prunus persica, Persica vulgaris,

Amygdalus persica [Linnaeus] — Peach

Persica mela — Persian fruit

The fruit of persica are good for the stomach and for the intestines too if ripe, but the unripe are astringent in

the intestines. Dried they are more astringent, and adecoction of them dried and taken stops a stomach andintestines troubled with excessive discharges.

166

FRUIT TREES

167


Hiberis


168

FRUIT TREES

Capparis tomentosa


1-165. ARMENIACA

SUGGESTED: Prunus armenaica, Armenaica vulgaris — Apricot Tree

ALSO: Prunus pseudoarmenaica

The smaller which are called Armenian and in Latinpraecoqua [premature - ripe before their time] are

better for the stomach than the ripe [above].

1-166. MEDIKA

SUGGESTED: Citrus medica var limonum — Lemon Citrus medica var cedrata — Citron, Adam's Apple,

Cedrat Tree

Those which are called Median, Persian, or cedromelaand in the Latin citria, are known to all for it is a tree

that bears fruit throughout the whole year one underanother. The fruit itself is somewhat long, wrinkled,resembling gold in colour, smelling sweet withheaviness, with seed similar to a pear. Taken as a drink inwine it is able to resist poisons and subducere [to draw off]bowels. A decoction or the juice is a mouth rinse for sweet breath. It is especially eaten by women [as a remedy]against their lusting [anaphrodisiac]. The leaves arethought to preserve cloths from from being motheaten ifthey are put into the chests where the cloths are.

1-167. APION

SUGGESTED: Pirum, Pyrum, Puroi [Pliny], Pyrus communis — Cultivated Pear Tree

There are many kinds of pears and they are allastringent and therefore fit to put into repellent

poultices. A decoction of the dried ones (or if they aretaken raw) stops discharges of the intestines, but if theyare eaten they hurt those who eat them while fasting.

169


1-168. ACHRAS

SUGGESTED: Pyrus communis var achras — Achras, Wild Pear

Achras is a kind of wild pear which takes long to ripen.It is more astringent than the pear, as a result it is

good for the same purposes. The leaves of it are alsoastringent. Ash from the wood effectively helps thosesuffocated from eating mushrooms [antidote]. There aresome who say that if anyone boils wild pears togetherwith mushrooms they become harmless.

1-169. MESPILON

SUGGESTED: Pyrus chamaemespilus — Bastard Quince Mespilus germanica, Pyrus germanica — Medlar Tree

Mespilus (which is called aronia by some) is a pricklytree similar in leaves to the oxyacantha, bearing a

sweet fruit similar to a little apple with three stoneswithin, from which it is also called tricoccos (as we shouldsay, threefold seed-endowed). It is long in ripening and if eaten is astringent, good for the stomach, and therapeutic for the bowels.

1-170. MESPILON ETERON

SUGGESTED: Mespilus azarolus, Crataegus azarolus— Azarole Tree, Neapolitan Medlar

There is another kind of mespilus growing in Italy alsocalled epimelis or setanium. It is a tree similar to an

apple tree even in the leaves for it is not smaller. This alsohas a round edible fruit with a broad navel, somewhatastringent and slow to ripen.

170

FRUIT TREES

1-171. LOTOS

SUGGESTED: Diospyros lotus — False Lotier, Date Plum Zizyphus lotus, Rhamnus lotus — Jujube Tree, Lotus Tree,

Wild Jujube, Lotus Jujube Zizyphus sativa, Zizyphus vulgaris, Zizyphus jujuba,

Rhamnus zizyphus — Jujube Tree, Zizyphus, Indian Jujube

The lotus tree has a stock of good growth and it bearsfruit bigger than pepper — sweet, edible, good for

the stomach, astringent in the bowels. A decoction of thescrapings or sawdust of the wood (taken as a drink orsuppository) helps dysentery and women troubled withtheir menstrual discharges. It also dyes the hair yellow,and stops loose bowels.

1-172. KRANIA

SUGGESTED: Cornus mas,Cornus mascula — Cornelian Cherry,Cornel, Dogwood

has wax-coloured fruit

Cranus is a strong tree that bears fruit similar to theolive — somewhat long, green at first but when ripe

it grows yellow or the colour of wax.It is edible and astringent, good for excessive

discharges of the intestines and dysentery whethermixed with sapa [syruped new wine] or eaten with meat.They are preserved in a pickle like olives. The moisturefrom the green leaves is burnt and this is good rubbed onfor lichen [skin disease with red pustules].

1-173. OUA

SUGGESTED: Sorbum ovatum [Fuchs], Sorbus sativa [Bauhin],Sorbus domestica [Linnaeus], Pyrus sorbus — Service Tree

Uva which are a yellowish colour and not yet ripe,first cut apart and dried in the sun, are astringent for

the bowels, ground up and eaten as a meal. It is eateninstead of polenta, and a decoction of them (taken as adrink) does the same.

171


1-174. KOKKUMELIA

SUGGESTED: Coccymelum [Pliny], Prunus sativa [Fuchs],Prunus domestica [Linnaeus], Prunus divaricata — Prune Tree,

Plum Tree

Prunus sylvestris [Fuchs, Bauhin], Prunus silvaticus, Prunus spinosa [Linnaeus]

— Wild Prune Tree

Coccymelia is a known tree whose fruit is edible andbad for the stomach, softening the bowels, especially

fruit of those from Syria and those growing in Damascus.Dried, it is good for the stomach and therapeutic for thebowels. A decoction of the leaves (used or prepared inwine and gargled) stops the excessive discharge that fallson the uva [uvula], gingiva [gums] and tonsils. The fruit ofwild plums dried when it is ripe does the same. Boiledwith sapa [syruped new wine] it becomes better for thestomach and more astringent to the bowels. The gum ofthe plum tree closes open cuts and sores, and taken as adrink with wine breaks kidney stones. Rubbed on withvinegar it heals lichen [papular skin disease] on children.

1-175. KOMAROS

SUGGESTED: Comaron, Comarus [Latin], Arbutus andrachne, Arbutus unedo— Fruit of Arbute Tree, Strawberry Tree,

Cane Apples

Comarus is a tree similar to the cotoneae [1-160] fruittree with a thin leaf, bearing fruit called memacyla,

the size more or less of a prune, with no kernel. Whenripe it is somewhat a yellowish or reddish colour, chaff.When eaten it is bad for the stomach and causesheadaches.

172

FRUIT TREES

173


Prunus sativa


174

FRUIT TREES

Persica


1-176. AMUGDALE

SUGGESTED: Prunus amygdalus var amara, Amygdalus amara — Bitter Almond

Prunus amygdalus var dulcis, Prunus communis, Amygdalus communis — Sweet Almond

RAW BITTER ALMOND SEED IS POISONOUS

The root of the bitter almond tree bruised and boiledtakes away spots on the face caused by sunburn, as

well as the almonds themselves, applied as a poultice.Applied to the forehead or temples with vinegar androsaceum [1-53] they drive out the menstrual flow andhelp headaches. They are good with wine for epinyctides[pustules which appear at night], rotten ulcers, andshingles [herpes], and with honey for dog bites. Almondsif eaten take away pains and soften the bowels, causesleep and are diuretic. They are good for bloody vomittaken with amyl [starch] and mint. They are good forinflamed kidneys and pneumonia taken as a drink withwater or as a linctus [syrup] with resina terminthos [1-91].Taken with passum [raisin wine] they help those troubledwith painful urination and urinary stones. They helpdiseased livers, coughs, and inflation of the colon, theamount of a nut of the avellana [hazel] taken in a linctus[syrup] with milk and honey. They keep awaydrunkenness if five to seven of them are taken beforeindulging. It kills foxes when they eat it with somethingelse. The gum of the tree is astringent and heats, and istaken in drink as a remedy for bloody vomit. Rubbed onwith vinegar it takes away impetigo [skin infection] on thesurface of the skin. Taken in a drink with diluted wine itcures old coughs, and it is good taken in a drink withpassum [raisin wine] for those troubled with urinarystones. The sweet edible almond has a great deal lessstrength than the bitter, yet that also reduces symptomsand is diuretic. Green almonds eaten with their shellsheal moistness of the stomach.

175


1-177. PISTAKIA

SUGGESTED: Pistacia vera, Pistacia officinarum, Pistacia reticulata — Pistachio

Pistacia grow in Syria and are similar to pine nuts.They are good for the stomach chewed or else

pounded into small pieces. Taken as a drink in wine theyhelp those bitten by snakes.

1-178. KARUA BASILIKA

SUGGESTED: Juglans [Fuchs], Juglans regia [Linnaeus] — Walnut

native to Persia, recommended by Pliny as a vermifuge [Loudon]

Carya basilika which some call persica are hard to digest when eaten, hurt the stomach, produce bile, breed

headaches and are worthless for those who have a cough, but good to make one vomit if eaten while fasting. Theyare antidotes against poisons eaten before or after, orwith figs and rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98]. Eaten in a greatquantity they expel broadworms. They are laid oninflamed breasts, suppurations and dislocations with alittle honey and rue. With onions and salt and honey they are good for those bitten by dogs or bitten by men. Burnttogether with their calyx and applied to the navel theylessen griping. The putamen [seed vessels - woody part]burnt and pounded in oil and wine and rubbed on theheads of children is good to make the hair pleasing andfills up alopecia [baldness]. The kernel within is burnt,pounded into small pieces, and applied with wine to stop the menstrual flow. The kernels of old caryae chewed andthen applied as a poultice cure gangrene, carbuncles[infected boils] [malignant skin tumours], aegilopses [ulcer or fistula in the inner angle of the eye] and alopecias[baldness] out of hand. An oil is made of them bruisedand pressed out. The green [or new ones] are sweeter and less hurtful to the stomach. As a result they are mixedwith garlic to take away the tartness of it. They take awayblack and blue spots when applied.

176

FRUIT TREES

Juglans regia


1-179. KARUA PONTIKA

SUGGESTED: Avellana domestica, Avellana-nux sylvestris, Corylus[Fuchs], Corylus sativa, Corylus sylvestris [Bauhin],

Corylus maxima [in Sprague], Nux avellana, Corylus avellana[Linnaeus], Nux pontica [Loudon] — Common Hazel

Carya Pontica (also called leptocarya [small carya]) areworthless for the stomach, yet pounded into small

pieces and taken as a drink with honey and water theycure old coughs. Roasted and eaten with a little pepperthey digest dripping fluids; and burnt whole, poundedinto small pieces with goose grease or bear grease, andrubbed on they restore hair that has fallen out fromalopecia [baldness]. Some say that the shells burnt andpounded into small pieces together with oil make thepupils of gray-eyed children black if the forepart of thehead is moistened with it.

1-180. MOREA

SUGGESTED: Morus nigra — Mulberry Morinda umbellata, Morus indica — Indian Mulberry

[other usage] Morea sisrinchium [Loudon] — Spanish Nut

Morus or sycaminus is a well-known tree. Its fruitmakes the intestines soluble. It is easily spoiled

and bad for the stomach and the juice is the same. Boiledin a brass jar or left in the sun it is made more astringent.A little honey mixed with it makes it good for thedischarge of fluids, for gangrenous ulceration of thecheeks, and for inflamed tonsils. The strength of it isincreased if alumen [5-123] in small pieces, galls [oak],myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116] and crocus are mixed with it aswell as the fruit of myrica [1-116], iris and frankincense.Unripe mulberries dried and pounded are mixed withsauces or rhus [1-147] and they help coeliac [intestinalcomplaints]. The bark from the root boiled in water andtaken as a drink loosens the bowels, expels broadwormsfrom the intestines, and is an antidote for those who havetaken aconitum [4-77, 4-78] as a drink. The leaves pounded into small pieces and applied with oil heal burns. Boiledwith rain water, wine and black fig leaves they dye thehair. A wine cupful of juice from the leaves (taken as a

177


Morus alba


Morus nigra


drink) helps those bitten by harvest spiders. A decoctionof the bark and leaves is a good rinse for toothache. It ismilked at harvest time, the roots dug around and cut-in.The next day there will be found some coalesced gumwhich is good for toothache, dissolves swellings, andpurges the bowels. There seem to be some wildmulberries similar to (the fruit) of the bramble but moreastringent, the juice is less spoiled and good in warmpacks for inflammation, healing ulcerated jaws, and to fill up wounds with flesh. They grow in shady and coldplaces.

1-181. SUKOMORON

SUGGESTED: Sycomorus antiquorum, Ficus sycomorus — Sycamore Fig, Sycamore, Mulberry Fig

[other usage] Sycamore [old English], Acer pseudoplatanus— Maple, Bastard Sycamore, Sycamore Maple, Mock Plane

Sycamine — old English for Mulberry [see above]

Sycomorum is also called sycaminum and the fruit iscalled sycomorum because of the faintness of its taste.

It is a great tree similar to a fig tree — very full of juice, theleaves similar to the mulberry tree. It bears fruit twice orfour times a year, not from the highest (boughs) as on thefig tree, but from the stock, similar to the wild fig —sweeter than green figs but without grains, and notgrowing ripe unless it is scratched with a nail or withiron. It grows abundantly in Caria and Rhodes and places not very fertile for wheat. It helps in time of scarcity ofcorn [famine] by continually bearing fruit. The fruit isgood for the bowels, yields little nourishment, and is badfor the stomach. The tree is milked at the beginning ofspring before it brings forth fruit, the outside of the barkbeing broken with a stone, for if it is broken deeper in itsends nothing forth. The oozing from it is gathered in asponge or fleece, then dried, formed (into little balls), andstored in newly-made jars. This juice is softening, closesopen cuts and sores from wounds, and dissolves growthsthat ripen with difficulty. It is taken in a drink and alsorubbed on against the bites of snakes, spleens that havegrown hard, pains, and a cold stomach. This juice isquickly spoiled with worms.

178

FRUIT TREES

1-182. SUKON EN KUPRO

UNKNOWN

Atree grows in Cyprus that differs from these. It is anelm [?ash] yet it has leaves similar to sycamine [1-180]

and fruit the size of prunes and sweeter. In all otherthings it is similar to those mentioned above.

1-183. SUKA

SUGGESTED: Ficus sativa [Fuchs], Ficus communis [Bauhin],Ficus carica [Linnaeus] — Fig

Ripe new syca are bad for the stomach and loosen theintestines but the looseness that comes from them is

easily stopped. They bring out pimples and sweat,quench thirst, and extinguish heat. The dried ones arenourishing and warming, cause thirst, and are good forthe bowels. They are useless for discharges of thestomach and intestines, but good for the throat, arteries,bladder and kidneys, those who have a poor colour froma long illness, as well as asthma, epilepsy and dropsy.Boiled with hyssop [3-30] and taken as a drink they cleanaway things in the chest. They are good for old coughsand long-lasting disorders of the lungs; and poundedtogether with saltpetre [potassium nitrate] and cnicus[4-119, 4-190] and eaten, they soften the bowels. Adecoction of them is good for inflammation around thearteries and tonsils, used in a gargle. They are mixed inpoultices with barley meal, fenugreek or barley water forwomen’s warm packs. Boiled with rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98]they are a suppository for griping. Boiled and afterwardspounded into small pieces and applied, they dissolvehard lumps and soften parotid tumours, boils andinflammatory tumours. They ripen pannus [opaquethickening of cornea with veins] more effectively withiris, saltpetre [potassium nitrate] or quicklime [calciumoxide — lime which has been burned but not yet slakedwith water]. Pounded raw with the things previouslyspecified they do the same. With pomegranate rind theyclean away pterygium [membrane on the eye], and withcalcanthum [limestone] they cure difficult, curable andmalignant discharges in the tibiae [hollow bones, marrow,

179


not only the tibia]. Boiled in wine and mixed withwormwood [3-26] and barley meal they are good fordropsy applied as a poultice. Burnt and put into a waxointment they cure chilblains. The raw ones poundedinto small pieces mixed with moist mustard and put intothe ears, cure noises and ringing in them. The (milky)juice of both the wild and cultivated figs coagulates milklike rennet, and dissolves coagulated milk like vinegar.Taken as a drink with almonds that have been poundedinto small pieces it is able to make bodies break out intoboils, to open pores, loosen the bowels and relax thewomb. It expels the menstrual flow applied with the yolkof an egg or Tyrrhenian [Etruscan] wax. It is good putinto poultices made for gout together with fenugreekflowers and vinegar. With polenta it cleans leprosy, lichen[papular skin disease], spots made by the heat of the sun,vitiligines [form of leprosy], parasitical skin diseases, andrunning sores on the head. Dropped on the sores it helpsthose stung by scorpions, and strikes of poisonous beasts, and those bitten by dogs. Taken on wool and put into thecavities of teeth it helps toothache. It takes awayformicosam [anthill-shaped] warts if it is rubbed on theflesh with animal fat.

1-184. SUKE AGRIA

SUGGESTED: Ficus carica var sylvestris — Wild Fig Tree Ficus variegata, Ficus amboinensis, Ficus racemosa,

Caprificus amboinensis — Getah Fig Tree, Wild Fig

The juice of the tender leaves of the wild syca tree doesthe same things. When they are great with child (not

yet fruiting) and the eye (bud) has not put out, they arepounded and pressed out, and the juice is dried in theshade and stored. Both the liquid and juice are taken forthe strength they have to raise [fill] ulcers. The sprigs ofthis tree boiled with beef makes it boil quicker. Theymake milk more loosening if they are used to stir it withduring boiling instead of a spatha [1-150].

180

FRUIT TREES

1-185. OLUNTHOI

SUGGESTED: Ficus carica — Unripe Figs

Olyntha (some of which are called erinei) boiled andapplied as a poultice soften all nodules, scrofulous

tumours [glandular swelling] and goitres. Applied rawwith saltpetre [potassium nitrate] and meal they takeaway formicosam [anthill-shaped] warts and wartyabnormal growths. The leaves can do the same. Appliedas a poultice with vinegar and salt they heal runningulcers on the head, dandruff and epinycti [pustules whichappear only at night]. Fig-like scabrous cheeks are rubbed with these. Vitiliginous [form of leprosy] white areas areplastered with the leaves or branches of the black fig.They are good also with honey for the bites of dogs, andthe ulcers called favi by the Latins but by the Greeks ceria[honeycombed ulcers]. Grossi [unripe figs] with theleaves of wild poppy draw out (broken) bones, and theydissolve boils [inflammatory tumours] with wax. Applied with ervum [2-129, 2-131] and wine they are good againstthe bites of rodents, spiders, centipedes and millipedes.

1-186. KONIA SUKES

SUGGESTED: Ficus carica var sylvestris — Wild Fig Tree Ficus variegata, Ficus amboinensis, Ficus racemosa,

Caprificus amboinensis — Getah Fig Tree, Wild Fig Ficus carica — Fig

Lye is made from ashes of the burnt branches of thewild and cultivated syca trees. You must steep the

ashes long and often. It is good both for caustic medicines and gangrenous parts, for it cleans and removes thingswhich are superfluous. It must be used by moistening asponge in it often and immediately applying it. Give it tosome as a suppository for dysentery, old discharges, andhollow, undermining, great ulcers. For it cleans, heals,covers in flesh and closes together, similar to plastersmade for bloody wounds. It is given for clotting bloodtogether and against dripping fluids, hernia andconvulsions, newly strained-out with a wine cupful ofwater and a little oil mixed in. By itself it helps coeliac[intestinal] complaints and dysentery, the amount of a

181


wine cupful given. It is a convenient ointment with oil for those troubled with sores of the tendons, andconvulsions that cause sweats. It is taken as an antidote in a drink for those who have swallowed gypsum [hydrouscalcium sulphate — plaster of Paris] and for the bites ofharvest spiders. The other sorts of lye have the sameeffects (especially that of the oak) and they are allastringent.

1-187. PERSEA

SUGGESTED: Persea, Mimusops schimperi — Egyptian Lebekbaum [Bedevian]

Persea is a tree which grows in Egypt, especially inThebes. It bears fruit fit to eat and good for the

stomach, on which the spiders called cranocolopta arefound. The dry leaves pounded into small pieces andapplied are able to stop blood breaking out. Some havereported that this tree when it grew in Persis was deadly,but when transported into Egypt it was altered andbecame good to eat.

1-188. IBERIS

SUGGESTED: Nasturtium agreste [Fuchs], Hiberis [Brunfels],Nasturtium pratense [Bauhin], Cardamine praetensis [Linnaeus]

Cardamine amara — Bitter Cress, Large Bitter Cress [other usage] Candytuft — Iberis numidica

Clown Mustard, Bitter Candytuft — Iberis amara

Iberis or cardamantica has leaves similar to nasturtium[2-185], more flourishing in the spring, the length of it

as much as a foot or somewhat smaller. It grows inuntilled places. In the summer it puts out a milky flowerand then it is more effective. It has two roots similar tonasturtium — warming and caustic. They are good forthose diseased with sciatica if a poultice similar to a plaster is made of it with salted lard of a sow (and so applied andlet lie) for four hours. Afterward let the patient be put into a bath and rubbed on the places affected with oil andwine dipped in wool.

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FRUIT TREES

BOOK TWO

In the first book, most loving Areius, that we made ofmedicinal matters we have discoursed of aromata

[fragrant herbs], oils, ointments, trees and the liquors and gum and fruits that come of them. But in this being thesecond book we shall come to discussion both of livingcreatures and of honey and of milk and of animal fat andof those things which they call frumentacea [cereals], aswell as pot herbs [vegetables], annexing for those suchherbs as are endowed with a sharp quality because suchare near of kin, as are garlic and onions and mustard seed, that the qualities of those things so similar in natureshould not be separated.


183

Helix pomatia & other Pulmonata

after FERUSSAC — 1875

LIVING CREATURES2-1. ECHINOS THALASSIOS

Echinus species — Sea Urchin

Echinus from the sea is good for the stomach, good forthe intestines, and diuretic. The raw shell roasted

well should be mixed with washing medications madefor psoriasis. Burnt, it cleans foul ulcers and repressesabnormal growths on the flesh.

2-2. ECHINOS CHERSAIOS

Erinaceous genus — Hedgehog

The burnt skin of the earth hedgehog is good foralopecia [baldness] rubbed on with moist pitch. The

dried flesh (taken in a drink with honey or vinegar andhoney) helps inflamed kidneys, water under the skin[dropsy], and those who have convulsions, elephantiasis,or cachexy [defective nutrition]. It dries up dischargesfrom the bowels and liver. Dried in a sun-dried clay jar,and stored, then given, it does as much good for the samethings.

2-3. HIPPOKAMPOS

Hippocampus [Latin] — Sea Horse

Hippocampus is a little living creature of the sea that isburnt and the ashes used either in goose grease,

liquid pitch, or ointment amaracinum [1-68]. Rubbed onit fills up alopecia [baldness] with hair.

2-4. PORPHURA

SUGGESTED: Purpura

Shellfish - yields Tyrian purple dye.

Burnt purpura dry and clean teeth, repress excrescentflesh, and draw boils and heal them.

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LIVING CREATURES

Sea Horse — Hippocampus

from DAVIS — 1907

2-5. KUREKES

SUGGESTED: Buccinum species — Whelks

Burnt buccina do the same as the above but they aremore caustic by nature. If anyone fills them with salt

and burns them in an unfired clay jar they are good astoothpastes and rubbed on burns. The medicine must beleft alone until it grows hard like a shell, for after the burnis healed it falls off of its own accord. Quicklime is madeof them as we will show when we come to discuss calx.

2-6. IONIA

SUGGESTED: The columellae of Buccinae [Whelks] and Purpurae

Ionia are the middle parts in the buccinae and purpuraearound which they turn in or wind around. It is burnt

in the same way, but is more caustic than the buccinae andpurpurae because by nature they adhere less. The flesh ofthe buccina has a good taste and is good for the stomach,but does not soften the bowels.

2-7. MUAKES

SUGGESTED: Mytilacea species — Mussels

The Pontic mytuli are best. When burnt their effect issimilar to the buccina but more peculiar. Washed like

lead they are good with honey for eye medicines as theyconsume thickened areas, and clean away white spots onthe cornea and whatever else darkens the pupils. Theirflesh is effective applied to one bitten by a dog.

2-8. TELLINAI

SUGGESTED: Tellina, family Tellinidae — Tellen, bivalves

Tellinae whilst they are fresh and new are good for thebowels, especially their broth. Seasoned with salt,

burnt, pounded into small pieces and dropped on withcedria [1-105], they do not allow hairs on the eyelids tospring up again after they are once plucked out.

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2-9. CHAMAI

SUGGESTED: Chamae species — Chama, bivalve molluscs

The broth of chamae and other shellfish boiled in a little water stirs the bowels. It is taken with wine.

2-10. ONUX

SUGGESTED: Unionaceae, Onycha — Freshwater Mussels

Onyx (or unguis) is the covering of a shellfish similarto that of the purpura [shellfish] found in India in

the nardus-bearing lakes. As a result it smells sweet — theshellfish feeding on the nardus. It is gathered after thelakes are dried up by extreme drought. The best isbrought from the Red Sea. It is somewhat white and fat.The Babylonian is black and smaller. Both of them (puton coals) have a sweet smell somewhat resembling castor[2-26] in scent. The inhaled smoke restores womentroubled with constrictions of the uterus, and those whohave falling sickness. Taken as a drink they trouble thebowels. The burnt shellfish itself does the same things aspurpura and buccinum [above].

2-11. KOCHLIAS

SUGGESTED: Helix aspersa, Helix hortensis — Garden Snails Helix pomatia — Snails, edible species

The earth snail is good for the stomach and spoiledwith difficulty. The best are in Sardinia, Africa,

Astypalaea, Sicily and Chios, as well as those in the Alpsnear Liguria, surnamed pomatias (because of theircovering). The sea snail is also good for the stomach andis easily transient, but the river snail is poisonous. Thefield snail (called sesilon or seselita) that hangs on bushesand shrubs troubles or disturbs the intestines andstomach causing vomiting. The burnt shells of all of themare able to heat and burn, and clean leprosy, vitiligines[form of leprosy] and the teeth. Burnt whole with theirflesh, pounded into small pieces, and rubbed on withhoney they take away scars in the eyes, white spots onthe cornea, sunspots, and moisture of the sight. Applied

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LIVING CREATURES

raw with their shells they dry up dropsy tumours and donot fall off until all the moisture is exhausted. Theysoothe gouty inflammation and draw out thorns appliedin a similar way. Pounded into small pieces and soapplied they expel the menstrual flow. Their fleshpounded into small pieces and applied as a poultice withmyrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116] and frankincense heals wounds,especially those around the tendons. Pounded into smallpieces with vinegar, they stop bleeding from the nostrils.The live flesh (especially of the African snail), eaten,pacifies pains of the stomach. Taken whole with the shelland a little of it taken with a drink of wine and myrrh, itcures those troubled with colic and pains of the bladder.The earth-snail heals falling hair if one thrusts a needlethrough the flesh of the snail and touches the hair withthe slimy matter that comes from there.

2-12. KARKINOI

SUGGESTED: Cancer pagurus [Brachyura] — Crabs

Two spoonfuls of ashes of burnt crevises or river crabswith one spoonful of the root of gentian (taken as a

drink in wine for three days together) evidently helpsone bitten by a mad dog. With boiled honey they soothecracks in the feet and perineum, as well as chilblains anddiseases of the cornea. Pounded raw and taken as a drinkwith an ass's milk they help snakebites, and the strikes ofharvest spiders and scorpions. Boiled and eaten withtheir broth they are good for those in consumption[wasting disease], and those who have swallowed a seahare [2-20]. Pounded together with basil and laid out for scorpions, they kill them. Sea crabs can do the samethings but they work somewhat less effectively thanthese.

2-13. SKORPIOS CHERSAIOS

Scorpionidae — Scorpion

The ground scorpion — taken raw, pounded intosmall pieces, and so applied — is a remedy for the

hurt done by it. It is also roasted for the same purpose.

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2-14. SKORPIOS THALASSIOS

SUGGESTED: Scorpaena, Scorpaenidae — Scorpion Fish Cottus scorpius — Sculpin

The gall of the sea scorpion is good for bathing eyes,white spots on the cornea, and excessive moisture in

the eyes.

2-15. DRAKON THALASSIOS

SUGGESTED: Trachinidae — Spiny-finned fishes, Weevers

The sea dragon (opened and applied) is a cure for thehurt done by his prickles.

2-16. SKOLOPENDRA

SUGGESTED: Myriapoda, Cheilopoda — Sea Centipedes,Millepedes

The sea scolopendra boiled in oil and rubbed onremoves hair [depilatory], but when touched it

breeds itching.

2-17. NARKE

SUGGESTED: Torpedinidae — Electric Ray

The sea torpedo applied to sores of long endurancearound the head lessens the fierceness of the

suffering. The same applied lifts up a perineum that haseither overturned or else fallen down.

2-18. ECHIDNE

Vipera communis, Coluber berus, Pelias berus — Viper

The flesh of the viper (boiled and eaten) makes theeyes quick-sighted and is also good for disorders of

the nerves. It represses enlarging scrofulous tumours[glandular swelling, goitres]. You must (when you stripit) cut off the head and the tail because they are without

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LIVING CREATURES

flesh. Cutting off the extreme parts by a certain measureis but a tale. Then, the intestines having been taken out,wash that which is left and cut it in pieces. Boil it with oiland wine and a little salt and dill. Some say that fromfeeding on them lice are bred in those who eat them but it is a lie. Some again say that those who eat them are long-lived. Salts are made of them for the same uses, but theydo not work as well. The living viper is put into a new pot, and with it a pint of salt and [the same of] well-poundeddry figs with six cups of honey. The cover of the pot istightly corked with clay and it is baked in an oven untilthe salt has turned to coals. After this it is pounded intosmall pieces and stored. Sometimes it may agree betterwith the stomach if some spikenard [1-6, 1-7, 1-8, 1-10] orphullon [3-140] or a little malabathrum [1-11] is mixed in.

2-19. OPHEOS GERAS

Senecta anguium — Sloughed Skin of Snakes

The senecta anguium (which is the skin that the snakecasts in the spring time) boiled in wine is a remedy

for pain in the ears if it is poured into them, and fortoothache used as a mouth rinse. They mix it (especiallythat of the sea viper) with eye medicines.

2-20. LAGOOS THALASSIOS

Aplysia depilans — Sea Hare

The sea hare is similar to the little cuttlefish. Poundedinto small pieces and applied (either by itself or with

sea nettles) it makes any place without hair [depilatory].

2-21. LAGOOS CHERSAIOS

Lepus timidus — Hare

The brain of a land hare (eaten roasted) is good for thetrembling that comes from fear, as well as rubbed on

or eaten for teething in children. The head burnt andrubbed on with bears’ grease or vinegar cures baldness.The curds (taken in a drink three days after the menstrual


189

Aplysia depilans — Sea Hare

from Davis — 1907

flow) are reported to cause sterility. Likewise it stopsexcessive discharges of the womb and bowels. It helpsthose with falling sickness, and taken as a drink withvinegar it is good against poisons [antidote], especiallyfor curdling of the milk [while breastfeeding], and for thebites of vipers. The blood rubbed on while warm curessunspots, vitiligines [form of leprosy], and freckles.

2-22. TRUGON THALASSIA

SUGGESTED: Trigonidae pastinaca — Sting Ray

The radius of the pastinaca marina that grows out of itstail (with scales turned backward) lessens a pained

tooth for it breaks and expels it.

2-23. SEPIA

SUGGESTED: Sepia officinalis — Cuttlefish

The black (ink) of the boiled sepia is hard to digestwhen eaten and it softens the bowels. The shell

formed into washes is good to rub on rough cheeks.Burnt in its own shell until the crusty matter is gone andafterwards pounded into small pieces it cleans vitiligines[form of leprosy], dandruff, teeth and sunspots. It iswashed and mixed with eye medicines. It is good forwhite spots on the cornea (in the eyes) of cattle[veterinary] blown into them. It removes pterygium[membranes on eyes] pounded into small pieces with salt and applied.

2-24. TRIGLA

SUGGESTED: Mullidae, Mullus barbatus — Red Mullet

The mullus if often eaten is thought to cause dullnessof sight, but cut apart whilst it is raw and applied it

heals the hurt caused by the sea dragon [2-15], scorpion,and the spider.

190

LIVING CREATURES

191


Hedgehog — Echinus species

after DAVIS — 1907

192

LIVING CREATURES

Sepia officinalis

after OWEN — 1909

2-25. ORCHIS HIPPOPOTAMOU

Hippopotamus amphibious — Hippopotamus

The stones [testicles] of the hippopotamus are driedand pounded into small pieces and taken in a drink

in wine against snakebite.

2-26. KASTOROS ORCHIS

Castoreum — Beaver

obtained from two sacs in the groin of the Beaver

The beaver is a living creature with a double naturenourished for the most part in the waters with the

fishes and crabs. Its stones [testicles] are good against thepoisons of snakes. They cause sneezing and are generallyeffective for many purposes. Two teaspoonfuls (taken asa drink with pulegium [3-36]) encourage the menstrualflow, put out the afterbirth, and are an abortifacient. It istaken as a drink with vinegar against gaseousness,griping, hiccups, deadly poisons [antidote] and ixia[3-103]. Moistened with vinegar and rosaceum [1-53] itrevives the lethargic or those brought low in any way. Itdoes the same when smelled or inhaled as smoke. It isgood taken either as a drink or rubbed on for trembling,convulsions, and all diseases of the nerves. Generally it iswarming. Always choose those stones [testicles] whichare connected together from one beginning (for it isimpossible to find two follicles [small glands] knittogether in one membrane); always distinguished bytheir natural loose skins; and that have waxy stuff within, with a strong smell, poisonous, sharp, biting in taste,easily crumbled. Some adulterate it by pouringammoniacum or gum tempered with blood and castoreuminto the follicle and drying it. It is not true that this beastwhen it is pursued bites off his stones [testicles] andthrows them away, for it is impossible that he shouldtouch them as they are joined underneath like those of aboar. Those who take off the skin must take the liquid inthere which looks similar to honey together with theloose skin that contains it, dry it, then bottle and store it.

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2-27. GALE KATOIKIDIOS

Putorius nivalis, Mustelidae — Weasel

The household weasel is burned over flames after thebowels are taken out, salted, and afterwards dried in

the shade and kept a long time. It is a very effectiveremedy (taken as a drink of two teaspoonfuls in wine)against all kinds of snakes. It is taken the same way as anantidote to poisoning. The belly of the weasel is stuffedwith coriander and kept until it is old, then taken in adrink to help those bitten by poisonous beasts, and theepileptic. It is burnt complete together in a pot and theashes rubbed on with vinegar for gout. The blood rubbedon helps scrofulous tumours [glandular swelling,goitres]. It is also good for epilepsy.

2-28. BATRACHOI

genus Rana, family Ranidae — Frogs

Frogs are antidotes against the poisons of all snakes.They are boiled into a broth in salt and oil. The broth

is then taken for this and for old abscesses of the tendons.Burnt and then put on they staunch bleeding. They curealopecia [baldness] rubbed on with liquid pitch. The bloodof green frogs dropped on prevents the hair from evergrowing again once it has been pulled from theeyebrows. They are good for toothache boiled togetherwith water and vinegar, and for the teeth when they arewashed with it.

2-29. AILOUROS

SUGGESTED: Silurus glanis, Siluridae — Sheath Fish

The silurus eaten whilst it is fresh is nourishing andgood for the stomach, but salted it yields no

nourishment; yet it cleans the arteries and makes thevoice clear. The flesh of that which is salted draws outsplinters. Brine from it is good in baths for dysentery atthe first sign, drawing the discharges to the outside.Taken as a suppository it cures sciatica.

194

LIVING CREATURES

2-30. SMARIS

SUGGESTED: Osmerus eparlanus — Smelt

The head of a salted smaris burnt stops abnormalgrowths of (protuberant) flesh, stops gangrenous

ulceration; and removes corns and warty abnormalgrowths. The flesh of this as well as all salted meat is good for one touched by a scorpion, and for one bitten by adog.

2-31. MAINIS

SUGGESTED: Maena

small sea-fish, eaten by the poor

The burnt head of the moena (pounded into smallpieces and sprinkled on) mends hard-skinned

fissures in the perineum; and its garum [Roman saucemade of fermented fish] rolled up and down around themouth lessens rotten ulcers in there.

2-32. KOBIOS

SUGGESTED: Gobiidae, Gobius species — Sea Gudgeon

Place a freshly caught sea gudgeon in a swine’sstomach and sew it up. Boil it with twelve pints of

water until it is reduced to two pints and then strain andcool it in the open air. If you give it to someone to drinkyou shall in this way bring down his bowels without anydisturbance. Applied it helps those bitten by dogs orsnakes.

2-33. OMOTARICHOS

SUGGESTED: Orcynus thynus — Tunny

Omotarichos is the flesh of the salted tunny. Thosebitten by the viper called prester (a serpent, the bite

of which was fabled to cause death by swelling) take this.Those who eat it must be compelled to drink a great

195


amount of wine and then to vomit. It is excellent for thesame purposes as eating sharp meats. It is also effectiveapplied to the bites of dogs.

2-34. GARRON

SUGGESTED: Garum — Liquid from Salt Fish

Garum (the liquid that comes out of salted flesh orfish), applied, represses gangrenous ulcers in the

cheeks, heals those bitten by dogs, and is sometimesgiven as a suppository for dysentery and sciatica. It isgiven to some so that it may repress ulcers (of thebowels), to others that it may encourage ulceration of theparts not ulcerated, and to remove fluids troubling thehips.

2-35. ZOMOS NEARON ICHTHUON

SUGGESTED: Fish Soup

Broth made from fresh fish (alone or taken as a drinkwith wine) is able to soothe the bowels. The best

broth for this is made from the fish called phycides?,scorpion fish, julides, perch and other tender rock fish,and those which do not have a poisonous nature, boiledwith nothing else but water and oil and anise [3-65] andsalt.

2-36. KOREIS

Cimices — Cimex lectularius, Cimex rotandatus — Bed Bugs

Seven cimices taken and put in meat with beans andswallowed down before a fit help those with quartains

[fever with paroxysm every three to four days].Swallowed down without beans they help one bitten byan asp. Smelled, they revive those fallen into a faint fromconstriction of the vulva. Taken as a drink with wine orvinegar they release horseleeches. Pounded into smallpieces and put into the urethra they cure painfulurination.

196

LIVING CREATURES

2-37. KOUBARIDES

Oniscus asellus — Common Woodlouse

‘Millipede’ [old English]

Millipedes that are found under water vessels arecreatures with many feet that roll themselves up

round when they are touched with the hand. Taken as adrink with wine these help painful urination and yellowjaundice. Rubbed on with honey they help those withtonsillitis, and warmed in a pomegranate rind withrosaceum [1-53] and dropped in the ears they are good forearaches.

2-38. SILPHE

Cockroach — Blatta orientalis

THESE INSECTS ARE CARRIERS OF MANY DISEASES.

The inner parts of the kind of blatta which is found inbakehouses and mill houses, pounded with oil or

boiled and dropped into the ears lessens their pain.

2-39. PNEUMON THALASSIOS

SUGGESTED: Scopelidae, genus Plagyodus or Alepisaurus — Jellyfish family

translates as the lungs of the sea

Pulmo marinus pounded into small pieces (whilst it isfresh), and applied, helps those troubled with

ulcerated chilblains and other chilblains, and those withgout.

2-40. PNEUMON CHOIRIOS

Lungs of Swine, Lamb or Bear

The lungs of a swine, lamb or bear applied to chafingand blisters on the feet made by rubbing shoes

prevents inflammation.

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2-41. PNEUMON ALOPEKOS

Lungs of Fox

Lungs of a fox (dried and taken in a drink) help theasthmatic; and the grease of the same melted and

poured in the ears lessens earache.

2-42. HEPAR ONEIRON

Ass’s Liver

An ass’s liver eaten roasted is good for epilepsy but itshould be taken while fasting.

2-43. AIDOION ARRENOS ELAPHOU

Testes of Deer

The genitals of a male hart (pounded into small piecesand taken in a drink with wine) help those bitten by

vipers.

2-44. ONUCHES ONON

Ass’s Hooves

Two spoonfuls of an ass’s hoof that has been burnt(taken in a drink daily for many days) are said to cure

epilepsy. Steeped in oil they dissolve scrofulous tumours[glandular swelling, goitres]; sprinkled on they healchilblains.

2-45. LEICHENES HIPPON

Spavins of Horses

The lichen [bony excrescence on legs] of horses is(according to description) that hardened substance

which grows at their knees and hooves. Pounded intosmall pieces and taken in a drink with vinegar they aresaid to cure epilepsy.

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LIVING CREATURES

2-46. ONUCHES AIGON

Goats’ Hooves

The hooves of goats burnt and rubbed on with vinegar cure baldness.

2-47. HEPAR AIGOS

Goat’s Liver

The watery fluid that drips from the liver of a goatwhilst it is a roasting is good rubbed on for those

troubled with night blindness. If anyone receives thesmoke of it with open eyes whilst it is boiling he receivesbenefit from this. Eaten roasted it is good for the samepurpose. They say that epilepsy may be discerned byeating the liver (especially) of the buck goat.

2-48. HEPAR KAPROU

Boar’s Liver

The liver of a boar (taken whilst it is) fresh, dried andpounded into small pieces and taken as a drink with

wine, is a remedy against the bites of snakes and beasts.

2-49. HEPAR KUNOS LUSSONTOS

Liver of Mad Dog

RABIES IS HIGHLY COMMUNICABLE

The liver of a mad dog (eaten roasted by those whichhave been bitten by him) is thought to keep them

safe from the fear of water. As a precaution they also usethe tooth of that dog which bit, place it into a bag and tie it to the arm.

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2-50. HEPAR AITHUAS

Liver of Seagull

Two spoonfuls of dried liver of mergus [seagull] (takenas a drink with honey water) expels the afterbirth.

2-51. KATTUMATA

Old Leather

The old leather of old soles of shoes (burnt, poundedto powder and applied) helps burns, skin

inflammation from rubbing, chafing, and blisters causedby wearing shoes.

2-52. ALEKTORIDES

Parts of Poultry

Hens cut apart and applied whilst they are yet warmhelp the bites of snakes, but they must be changed

often.

2-53. ENKEPHALOS ALEKTORIDOS

Parts of Poultry

Brains of poultry are given in a drink with wine tothose bitten by venomous creatures, and it also stops

discharges of blood from the meninx [membranes of thebrain and spinal cord]. The membrane of cocks which lies in the inner part under the ventricle, (hard and clear) likea horn, and which has to have the skin taken off when itis boiled, is good for the stomach, dried, pounded to apowder and taken in a drink with wine. The broth of achicken dressed simply (without anything else) isparticularly given for restraining foul fluids, and forthose who have hot burning stomachs. Broth from oldcocks is given for purging the body. Having taken out the intestine [of the fowl] you must put in salt instead, sewup the fowl, and boil it in twenty pints of water until theyreduce to one and a half pints, all which must be given

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LIVING CREATURES

after it has stood cooling awhile in the open air. There aresome who boil sea colewort, mercury [4-191], cnicum[4-119, 4-190], or polypody [4-188] together with it. It draws out thick, raw, gluey (or sticky) black (fluids). It is goodfor long-enduring acute fevers, the asthmatic, thearthritic, and stomachs labouring with gas. The stomachof fowls salted and dried in the shade is the best help.Three teaspoonfuls are taken as an antidote againstexcessive evacuations from purging medicines as itpresently stops the evacuating, but it must be poundedinto powder and mixed with water and given like that.

2-54. OON

Eggs and their Yolk

A soft-cooked egg nourishes more than an uncookedone and a hard-cooked egg more than a soft. The

yolk roasted with saffron and rosaceum [1-53] is good forsores in the eyes. It is good with melilot [3-48] forinflammation around the perineum and the joints. Friedin a pan with the seed of sumach or galls [oak galls] andeaten (or else given alone) it stops discharges of thebowels.

2-55. LEUKON TOU OOU

White of Egg

The white of an egg used raw cools and closes thepores of the skin, and when dropped on inflamed

eyes it soothes them. Rubbed on afterwards it preventsburns from breaking out into pustules. It protects the face from sunburn. It constipates those troubled withdischarges, and will repress them when laid on theforehead with frankincense. It lessens inflammation ofthe eyes applied with wool and with rosaceum [1-53],wine and honey mixed with it. If it is sipped raw it helpsbites of the snake called haemorrhois [a fable]; andwarmed a little it is good for bladder distress, ulceratedkidneys, rough arteries, and the throwing up of blood,mucus and fluids in the chest.

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2-56. TETTIGES

Acridiiae, Locustidae — Grasshoppers

Grasshoppers if they are eaten roasted help disordersof the bladder.

2-57. AKRIDES

Acridiiae, Oedipoda migratoria, Pachytylus migratorius — Locusts

Locusts (smoked and inhaled) help difficulty inurinating, especially in women. Their flesh is useless.

One kind of locust called asiracos or onos is without wings, having great limbs when it is young. This is dried andtaken in a drink with wine as a great help to those bittenby scorpions. The Africans who inhabit Leptis feed onthese abundantly [food].

2-58. PHINIS

Pandion [Falco] haliaëtus — Osprey, Ossifrage

Phinis is a bird that they call ossifragum in Latin. Whengiven little by little of this in drink it is said to expel

stones from urine.

2-59. KORUDALLOS

Alauda arvensis — Skylark, Crested Lark

The lark is only a little bird having on the top of itshead a tuft standing up similar to that of the peacock.

This bird eaten roasted is good for those troubled withcolic.

2-60. CHELIDON

Hirundo rustica — Swallows

Cutting apart [at the increase of the moon] youngswallows of the first hatching, you shall find stones

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LIVING CREATURES

in their bellies, of which take two, one of various coloursand the other clear [and of one colour]. Place these in anheifer’s or hart’s skin before they touch the ground andtie them to the arm or neck. You shall with this ease andoften wholly recover from epilepsy. Swallows are eatenwith their ficedulae [intestines] as a medicine for causingsharp sight, and the ashes of them and of their femaleparents burnt in a ceramic pot and rubbed on with honeycause sharpness of sight. It is also good rubbed on forthose with tonsillitis, and for inflammation of the uvulaand tonsils. Swallows and their young ones (dried, andone teaspoon taken in a drink with water) help thosewho have tonsillitis.

2-61. ELEPHANTOS ODONTOSRINISMA

Elephant’s Tooth

The scraping of elephant’s tooth when applied cureswhitlows of the finger or toenails. It is astringent.

2-62. ASTRAGALOS UOS

Knucklebone of Pig

The anklebone of a swine (burnt until it becomeswhite, then pounded to powder and taken in a

drink) heals gas from colic, and griping that has enduredfor a long time.

2-63. ELAPHOU KERAS

Burnt Horn of a Hart — adult male Red Deer

The horn of a hart (burnt, washed and two spoonfulstaken in a drink) is good with gum tragacanth for

bloodspitters, dysentery, coeliac [intestinal complaints],jaundice and disorders of the bladder. It is also good forwomen troubled with excessive [menstrual] discharge,given with some liquid suitable for that suffering. It isburnt in an oven (first pounded and put into an unfiredclay pot, sealed around with clay, and fired) until it is

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white, and then afterwards it is washed in a similar wayto cadmia [5-84]. This is good for discharges and ulcers inthe eyes; and rubbed on the teeth it cleans them. If burntraw it drives away snakes with the smell. Boiled withvinegar and used as a mouthwash it soothes pain of theinner teeth.

2-64. KAMPAI

Caterpillars

The erucae [caterpillars] which breed on vegetablesrubbed with oil on anyone are said to protect him

from the bites of poisonous beasts.

2-65. KANTHARIDES

Cantharides vesicatoria — Spanish Fly Beetles

POISONOUS

Those dried beetles that are gathered from the cornare fit for storage. Place them into an unglazed jar

and tie around the mouth of it a clean thin linen cloth:turn them towards the fumes of very sharp warmedvinegar and hold them there until they are stifled. Thenthrust them through with a thread and store them. Themost effective have the most diversity of colours,yellowish cross streaks [in their wings], and are long-bodied, full and fat, like the blattae [cockroaches]. Thoseof one colour are ineffective.

2-66. BOUPRESTEIS

Buprestis — Buprestidae — Bupressedes

POISONOUS

In the same way the bupressedes are preserved forstorage. They are types of cantharides [2-65] and erucae

[caterpillars] of the pine tree. Roasted a little in hot ashes,they are stored and kept in a sieve that hangs up. Theircommon strength [see above] is antiseptic, anti-ulcerousand heating; as a result they are mixed in medicines thatcure diseases of the cornea, leprosy and wild impetigo

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LIVING CREATURES

[skin infection]. Mixed with soothing suppositories theyencourage the menstrual flow. Some also have relatedthat these cantharides [2-65] help dropsy by moving theurine. Some also believe that the wings and feet of themare an antidote for those who have taken parasites in adrink.

2-67. SALAMANDRA

Salamandridae — Salamander

The salamander is a kind of lizard, lazy, variouslyspotted, in vain thought fireproof. It is antiseptic,

ulcerating, and heating. They are mixed in antiseptic andleprosy medicines to the same benefit as cantharides [2-65]and kept in store in a similar way. Moistened with oilthey remove hair [depilatory]. They are disembowelled,the head and the feet taken away, and preserved inhoney for the same uses.

2-68. ARACHNE

Arachneidae — Spiders

The spider — a creature also called holcos or lycos (thatis, raptor, for example, lupus) — worked into one

piece with a plaster, spread on linen and applied to theforehead or temples, cures the periodical circuits ofparoxysm every third day in acute fevers. The cobwebs of spiders are applied to staunch blood, and preventinflammation in ulcers that break out on the surface ofthe skin. There is another kind of spider which spins awhite web, thin and thick, of which it is said that whenput into a purse of leather and hanged around the arm itcures the flows of quartain [with paroxysms every fourthday] acute fevers. Boiled together with rosaceum [1-53]and poured in the ears it helps earaches.

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2-69. SAURA

Lacertilia — Lizard

The head of a lizard (pounded into small pieces andapplied) draws out splinters or whatever else sticks

to [the body], and takes away formicosam [anthill-shaped]warts, pensiles [growths which hang down] (which theycall acrochordonas [hanging warts]) and corns. The liver isput into the cavities of teeth to cause the pain to cease.Cut quite apart and applied it eases those touched by ascorpion.

2-70. SEPS

Lizard of scincoid genus Seps — POISONOUS

Seps (also called the Calchidicen lizard) taken as a drink in wine heals those bitten by him.

2-71. SKINKOS

Scincus officinalis — Skink

Schinchi are found in Egypt, India and some at the RedSea. Some are found in Libya, others near a river of

Mauritania. It is an earth crocodile of its own kind that ispreserved in salt with nasturtium [2-185]. They say that ateaspoonful of the part of it that lies around the kidneys(taken in a drink of wine) is a great provocative to lust[aphrodisiac], and yet for all that, a decoction of lentilstaken as a drink with honey (or the seed of lettuce takenin a drink with water) represses the intensity of thisinclination. It is also mixed with antidotes.

2-72. ENTERA GES

Lumbricus — Earthworms

Worms from the soil (pounded into small pieces andapplied) glue together sinews that are cut apart.

They dissolve tertians [fevers with paroxysms every third day]. Boiled with goose grease they cure diseases of the

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LIVING CREATURES

ears, dropped in there. Boiled together with oil andpoured into the opposing ear they help toothaches.Pounded into small pieces and taken in a drink withpassum [raisin wine] they expel urine.

2-73. MUOGALE

Myogale species — Shrew Mouse

The shrewmouse (cut apart and applied) is a remedyfor its own bites.

2-74. MUES

Mus musculus — House Mouse

It is declared that cut-apart house mice are usefullyapplied to those touched by scorpions, and that eaten

roasted they dry the spittle in the mouths of children.

2-75. GALA

SUGGESTED: Milk

All milk is commonly good to drink, nourishing,softening to the intestines, and causing the stomach

and bowels to be inflated with gas. That which is made inthe spring has a more watery substance than that of thesummer, and that which comes from green pasturesoftens the intestines more. The best milk is white, has anequal thickness, and ‘beads’ when it is dropped on afingernail. Goat’s milk disturbs the intestines less because goats for the most part feed on astringent food such as the oak, lentisk [1-90], and the leaves of the olive tree andterminthos[1-91]. As a result it is also good for the stomach. Sheep milk is both thick and sweet and very fat but not sogood for the stomach. Cow’s, asses' and mare’s milk make the intestines more laxative and trouble it. All milkoverturns the stomach and the intestines where thepasture is scammonious or has hellebore, mercury [4-191] or clematis, as has been observed by us in the Vestinmountains. For goats vomit which feed on the leaves ofthe white hellebore when they first shoot out; and their

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milk overturns the stomach and has a nauseous nature.All milk when boiled becomes astringent to theintestines, especially that which is evaporated by burning flints. In general it helps all internal ulcers, especially ofthe throat, lungs, intestines, kidneys and bladder.Against all itchiness in appearance, pustules and corruptfluids it is given fresh with raw honey and a little watermixed together (salt also being mixed with it). That which has been once boiled is less inflating. That which is boiledwith pebble stones and reduced to half, helps dischargesof the bowels accompanied with ulceration.

2-76. ORROS GALAKTOS

SUGGESTED: Whey

All milk has whey contained within it. Separated out,this is fitter for purging and is given to those whom

we would purge without distress, as well as fordepression, epilepsy, leprosy, elephantiasis, and pustulesthat break out over the whole body.

2-77. GALA SCHISTON

SUGGESTED: Junket

All milk is separated by boiling it in a new ceramic jarand stirring it with a freshly cut down fig tree

branch. After it has boiled two or three times a wine-cupof vinegar and honey for every half-pint of milk is poured into it: thus the whey is parted from the cheesy matter. So that the milk does not boil over you must continually rubthe brim of the jar with a sponge dipped in cold waterduring boiling, and let down a silver pint jar full of coldwater into it. Whey is given to drink (at intervals) inamounts of from one half-pint to five, and let those whodrink it walk around during that time. New milk is goodfor ulcers, and inflammation caused by deadly medicineslike cantharis [2-65], pityocampa [pine grub or pinecaterpillar], salamander, buprestis [2-66], hyoscyamus[4-69], dorycnium [4-75], aconitum [4-77, 4-78], orephemerum [4-85]. For this cow’s milk helps best. It is alsogargled for ulcers of the mouth and tonsils. Especiallyasses' milk gargled in the mouth strengthens the gums

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LIVING CREATURES

and the teeth. If you place hot burning flints into the milkof sheep, cows, or goats to boli it, this stops dischargesaccompanied with ulceration. It is given as a suppositoryor enema (either by itself or with barley water or cream ofhalica [2-114]) to relieve considerable gnawing of theintestines. It is also squirted into an ulcerated vulva.

2-78. GALA GUNAIKOS

SUGGESTED: Woman’s Milk

Woman’s milk is the sweetest and most nourishing.Sucked, it is good for pangs of hunger in the

stomach and for consumption. It is also an antidote in adrink for someone that has taken sea hare [2-20]. Mixedwith frankincense that has been pounded into smallpieces, it is dropped into eyes that are bloodshot from ablow. It is good for gout rubbed on with meconium [4-65]and ceratium [wax ointments]. All milk is worthless for the splenetic and hepatic, vertigo, epilepsy, and thosetroubled in their tendons, those who have fevers orwhose heads ache, unless at any time one gives themwhey for purgation as was formerly shown. Some saythat the milk of a bitch when she first whelps removeshair when rubbed on. Taken as a drink it is an antidoteagainst poisonous medicines, and casts out deadembryos.

2-79. TUROS NEAROS

SUGGESTED: New Cheese

New cheese eaten without salt is nourishing, goodfor the stomach, easy to digest, increasing the flesh

[weight gain] and mildly softening the bowels. Some isbetter than the other, according to the nature of the milkfrom which it is made. Boiled and strained out, thenroasted, it is astringent in the intestines, and applied it isgood for inflammation and bruises of the eyes. Newsalted cheese is more nourishing and if eaten is good forshrinking of the flesh [weight loss]. It is bad for thestomach, upsetting the intestines and the bowels. That

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which is older is therapeutic for the intestines, and thewhey that is made along with cheese is very goodnourishment for dogs.

2-80. HIPPACE

SUGGESTED: Horse Cheese

That which they call hippace is horse cheese. It has apoisonous smell yet is very nourishing and very

similar to that made from pigs’ milk. Some have calledthe horse’s rennet by the name of hippace.

2-81. BUTURON

SUGGESTED: Butter

Good butter is made of the fattest milk such as ewes’milk. It is also made from milk of goats, the milk

being stirred around in jars until the fat is separated. It issoftening and has the qualities of oil. Taken by itself itloosens the intestines, and when oil is not available it is an antidote against poison. Mixed and rubbed on withhoney it helps teething and itching of the gums inchildren, and ulcers of the mouth [thrush, candidiasis].Rubbed on externally it preserves the body and preventspustules from breaking out. Butter that is neither stinking nor old is good against inflammations and hard lumps ofthe womb. It is given as a suppository for dysentery andulceration of the colus [? possibly colon]. It is also ofbenefit mixed in suppurating medicines — especially forwounds around the nerves, neural membrane, bladderand neck. It fills and cleans and encourages new flesh.Applied it is good for one bitten by an asp. New butter isput in sauce for meats instead of oil, and in cakes insteadof fat.

Soot is gathered from butter as follows. Pour somebutter into a new lamp, set it on fire and having covered it let it burn in a ceramic jar made similar to a siphunculus [alittle pipe from which water spurts], narrow above butwith holes underneath. When the first butter is used uppour in more and repeat the procedure until you havegot as much soot as you desire. Then scrape it off with a

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LIVING CREATURES

feather or wing and use it. It is useful in eye medicines, todry, and as an astringent. It stops discharges and quicklybrings ulcers to a scar.

2-82. ERIA

SUGGESTED: Wool

The best, unwashed wool is softest, like that from theneck and from the thighs. It is good (moistened in

vinegar and oil or wine) as first treatment for wounds,bruises, peeling, black and blue bruises, and brokenbones. For it easily drinks up the liquors into which it isdipped, and by reason of the oesypum [lanolin] that itcontains it is softening. It is good applied with vinegarand rosaceum [1-53] for headaches and pains in thestomach or any other place.

2-83. ERIA KEKAUMENA

SUGGESTED: Burnt Wool

Burnt wool has the properties of scab forming,repressing abnormal growths of flesh, and drawing

ulcers to a scar. It is burnt in an unfired clay jar (in thesame way as other things) after being cleaned andcarded. Locks of wool that have been dyed with seapurple [pupurea — shellfish] are burnt in the same way.Some card the wool with the lanolin on, moisten it withhoney and burn it. Some lay little spits [skewers] in aceramic jar with a broad mouth, separate from oneanother, and lay thin chips of teda [taeda — pitch pine] onit, then place the wool (carded and moistened with oil) on them so that it may not fall. Layering the chips and thewool one on the other by turn they set the teda [chips]gently on fire underneath and take them away whenthey have burnt out. If any fat or pitch falls down fromthe teda it is taken and stored separately. The ash fromwool is washed for eye medicines in a ceramic jar. Wateris poured on it and lustily stirred around with the hands,and after it is settled the water is poured out and otherpoured on and stirred around again. This is done until itdoes not bite if applied to the tongue but is somewhatastringent.

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FATS 2-84. OISUPON

SUGGESTED: Wool Fat, Lanolin

The greasiness of unwashed wool is called oesypum[lanolin]. You can prepare it as follows. Take soft

unwashed wool scoured with the herb soapweed[soapwort], wash it in hot water, squeeze out all the filth,throw it into a broad-mouthed jar, and pouring water onit pour it from on high back again with a great spoon,tumbling it down forcibly until it foams, or stir it aroundlustily with a stick until a quantity of foul foam gatherstogether. Afterwards sprinkle it with seawater. When thefat that swims on top has settled, put it into anotherceramic jar, and pouring water into the jar stir it aroundagain and sprinkle the foam with water and repeat asabove. Do this until there is no more foam on it, thegreasy matter having been used up. Mix the oesypum[lanolin] that is gathered by hand. If it has any filthremaining on it take it away. Let the first water fall awaydrop by drop, pour in more and stir it around with thehand until, if applied to the tongue it does not bite, issomewhat astringent and it looks fat, clean and white.Store it in a ceramic jar. This should be done while thesun is warm. Some press out the grease and wash it incold water, rubbing it with their hands as women do stiffointments and this is whiter. Others wash the wool andpress out the filth, boil it with water in a kettle over agentle fire, take away the grease that floats on top andwash it in water as was already explained. Straining it out into a ceramic platter that has warm water in it, theycover it with a linen cloth and set it out in the sun until itbecomes sufficiently thick and white. Some (after twodays) pour out the first water and pour in fresh. The bestis not cleaned with radicula [radish], is smooth, smells ofunwashed wool, and when rubbed with cold water in ashell, grows white. It has nothing in it hard or compactedsuch as that counterfeited with wax ointment or animalfat. It is able to warm and soften and fill ulcers, especiallythose around the perineum and vulva. Applied in woolwith melilot [3-48] and butter it is an abortifacient and

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FATS

draws out the menstrual flow, (and is good) with goosegrease for sores in the ears and genitals. It is also goodaround the corners of eyes that have been eaten into andare scabbed, and for eyelids that have grown hard andshed their hair. Oesypum [lanolin] is burnt in a newceramic jar until it is turned into ashes and loses all its fat.Soot is gathered from it (in the same way as we havepreviously described), good for eye medicines.

2-85. PITUA

SUGGESTED: Rennet

Thirty grains of rennet of hare (taken in a drink ofwine) is good for those bitten by venomous

creatures, coeliac [intestinal complaints], dysentery, forwomen troubled with excessive discharges from thewomb, for clotting blood together, and for throwingblood up out of the chest. Applied after the cleansing(that is, monthly, and a little before lying together) to thevulva with butter it causes inconception. Taken in a drink it is an abortifacient, and after the menstrual flowpurging it hinders conception [birth control]. Rennet of ahorse that some call hippace is particularly good for theabdominal cavity and dysentery. Rennet of a lamb, kid,fawn, doe, platyceros [stag], dorcas [Dorcatherium aquaticum— ruminant], deer, calf, and wild ox have similarproperties and are good (taken as a drink in wine) as anantidote against aconitum [4-77, 4-78], and for clottingmilk if used with vinegar. In particular the rennet of afawn applied the third day after the monthly purgationhinders conception. Rennet of the sea calf [seal — Phocavitulina] has a strength very similar to castorium [2-26]. It is thought to be especially good (taken as a drink) forepilepsy, and for constriction of the womb. Now to knowwhether it is the authentic rennet of sea calf it is tested asfollows. Take the rennet of some other creature(especially of a lamb) and having put water onto it leave it alone a little while. Afterwards pour the liquid in whichthat rennet lay on the rennet of the sea calf. If it isauthentic it immediately melts into the water, and if it isnot it remains as it was. Sea calves’ rennet is taken fromthe young ones when not yet able to swim together (with

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the old). In general all rennet gathers together things thatare scattered and dissolves things that are gatheredtogether.

2-86. STEAR

SUGGESTED: Goose Grease

New fat of either geese or poultry (even if it is keptlong, but without salt) is good for disorders of the

womb. That which is salted or has turned sour throughage is an enemy to the womb. Take any of these, fresh,and strip off the skin from it. Put it into a new ceramic jarthat could contain twice as much fat as you mean toprovide. Having covered the jar carefully set it out in avery hot sun then strain out the part which has meltedinto another ceramic jar until all is used, then put it into avery cold place and use it. Some, instead of the sun, setthe jar over hot water or over a small and gentle coal fire.There is also another way of preparing it as follows. Afterthe skin is removed from the fat, it is pounded and put on to a platter, melted, and a little fine salt is put on it, then itis strained through a linen cloth and put in jars. This fat isgood mixed with medicines that take away weariness.

2-87. STEAR HUEION KAI ARNEION

SUGGESTED: Lard and Bear Grease

Fats from swine or bears are prepared as follows. Takethe new thick fat that grows around the kidneys,

remove the skin, and put it into a good amount of verycold rain water, rubbing it carefully with the hands and(as it were) reviving it again. Having washed it often inclean water, put it into a ceramic jar that will hold twicethe amount, add enough water to cover the fat, set it overa gentle fire of coals and stir it with a continuoussplashing. When it has melted strain it through a strainerinto water and let it cool. Then removing all the watergently from it, carefully put it again into another jaralready washed beforehand, place water on it and melt itgently. Having taken it down and allowed the dregs tosettle a little put it into a mortar moistened with a sponge. When it has congealed take it down and take off the filth

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FATS

lying in the bottom. Melt it again a third time withoutwater and pour it again into the mortar. Having cleanedit, store it in tightly corked ceramic jars and put the jars ina very cold place.

2-88. STEAR TRAGEION, KAIPROBATEION, KAI ELAPHEION

SUGGESTED: Mutton Suet etc.

Goat, sheep and furthermore deer suet is prepared asfollows. Take the fat of any of these (as described in

the previous discussion) and having washed it (asexplained in the preparation of fat of swine) remove theskin, put it into a mortar to temper it and beat it, pouringin a little water until nothing similar to blood comes fromit, no fat swims on it, and it becomes clear. Then throw itinto a ceramic jar and add to it enough water to cover it,put it over a gentle coal fire and stir it around. When it isall melted, pour it into water and cool it. Having washedthe jar, melt the suet a second time and repeat theprocedure. Then having melted it a third time withoutwater, strain it out into a mortar moistened with water,and when it is cold bottle it for storage like fat of swine.

2-89. STEAR BOEION

SUGGESTED: Ox or Cow Suet

From ox or cow suet (which is near the kidneys) theskin is to be taken off, and it must be washed in sea

water taken out of the ocean, then it must be put into amortar and pounded carefully, sprinkling the seawateron it. When it is all dissolved it must be put into a ceramicjar and sea water poured into it to stand no less thantwenty centimetres above it, and it must be boiled until ithas lost its own smell. Afterwards for every Attic[Athenian] pound of the suet you must put in fourteaspoonfuls of Tyrrhenian [Etruscan] wax. Then (having strained it and taken away the filth that lies in thebottom) it must be put into a new jar. Afterwards it iscovered and is to be set out every day in the sun so that itmay become white and lose its bad taste.

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2-90. STEAR TAUREION, PARDALEIONKAI LEONTEION

SUGGESTED: Bulls’ Suet etc.

Bulls’ suet must be prepared as follows. Take new fatfrom the kidneys, wash it with running water from

the river, and having pulled off the skin put the fat into anew clay jar, sprinkle a little salt on it and melt it. Thenstrain it out into clear water. When it begins to congealrub it diligently with the hands again, pouring out andpouring on water until it is thoroughly washed. Thenplace it into the jar again and boil it with the sameamount of sweet-smelling wine. When it has boiledtwice, remove the jar from the fire and let the fat remainin there all night. If there is any bad smell left in it the dayafter, place it into another ceramic jar, poursweet-smelling wine on it again and repeat (as has beenformerly described) until it discards all rank smell. It isalso melted without salt to be used in some sores forwhich salt is not indicated. Prepared like this it is not very white. In the same way panthers’, lions’, wild boars’,camels’, horses’, and other similar fats are prepared.

2-91. STEAR POS AROMATISTEON

SUGGESTED: Fats Blended with Scent

Calves’ fat as well as fat from bulls and deer and thebone marrow of deer are given a sweet smell as

follows. Remove the skin from the fat you want toperfume, wash it as shown above and boil it in fragrantwine without any sea water in it. Afterwards cool it downand let it remain all night. Then pour in more of the samekind of wine, the same amount as before, melt it andcarefully skim it. For every four and a half pints of fat addseven teaspoonfuls of juncus arabicus [1-16, 4-52]. If youwould like to make it smell sweeter, add to this fortyteaspoonfuls of flowers of juncus arabicus, and as manyteaspoonfuls of palm, cassia and calamus [1-17, 1-114], and one teaspoon each of aspalathus [1-19] and xylobalsamum[1-18]. Mix with all of this one ounce each of cinnamon,cardamom and nardus[1-6, 1-7, 1-8, 1-10]. Let all of thembe pounded very finely. Afterwards pour in fragrant

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FATS

wine, cork the jar tightly, set it securely over coals andboil it all together three times. Then take it from the fireand let it remain in the jar all night. On the following daypour out the wine and put in more of the same kind, boilit together three times in a similar way and remove it. Onthe next morning (after having taken out the salt) pourout the wine, then wash the jar and take away the filththat sticks in the bottom, melt and strain the fat, put it injars and use it.

In the same way fat that was prepared beforehand ismade sweet smelling. The previously described fats arefirst thickened as follows so that they may more readilyreceive the strength of the sweet odour. Take the fat andboil it with wine; place in there a myrtle branch,serpyllum, [3-46] and cyprus [1-124], as well as aspalathus[1-19] (all thoroughly pounded). Some are content withone of these for this purpose. When the fat has boiled forthe third time, take it off gently, strain it through a linencloth and then aromatize it as described already.

Fats are also thickened as follows. Pound whateverfats you have (which are new and not mixed with bloodor having other marks which have been often spoken of).Put them into a new jar and pour in old odoriferouswhite wine so that it exceeds eight fingers in depth. Boilthem together using a slow fire until the fat has lost itsnative scent and rather smells of the wine. Then take offthe jar and cool it. Take out two pounds of the fat andplace it into a jar and add four half-pints of the same wine and four pounds of pounded seeds from a lotus tree[1-171], and that tree whose wood those who make pipesuse. Boil it over a gentle fire stirring it aroundcontinuously, and when it has lost all its strong greasysmell, strain it and let it cool. Take one pound of bruisedaspalathus [1-19] and four pounds of the flowers ofamaracinum [1-68], steep them in old wine and let themabsorb it for one night. Then on the following day putthem with the fat into a new ceramic jar that will holdthree gallons, and add to this two and a quarter litres ofwine and boil everything together. When the fat hasreceived all the strength and smell of the thickeners takeit down, strain it, melt it and put it in jars. If you wish tomake it smell sweeter, mix with all of this eightteaspoonfuls of the fattest myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116]diluted in very old wine.

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Poultry or goose grease is given a sweet scent asfollows. Take two pints of either of these fats (which havebeen already prepared), place them into an earthenwarepot, mix with it exactly twelve teaspoonfuls each ofpounded erysisceptrum [1-4], xylobalsamum [1-18], palmaelaterium [4-155], and calamus [1-17, 1-114], and havingadded to this one wine-cupful of old Lesbos wine, set itover the coals and make it boil three times. Then take thejar from the fire and allow the things in it to cool for oneday and night. The following day melt them and pressthem through a clean linen cloth into a clean jar. Whenthe fat congeals take it out with a spoon (as previouslydescribed) put it into a new ceramic jar, stop it tightly,and put the jars in a very cold place. All this must be donein the winter for in the summer it will not adheretogether. Some to help the process mix in a littleTyrrhenian wax. In the same way both swine fat and bear fat and other similar fats are given a fragrant smell.

2-92. STEAR POS SAMPSUCHITETAI

To Perfume Fat with Sampsuchum SUGGESTED: Amaracus, Maiorana [Fuchs], Majorana vulgaris

[Bauhin], Sampsuchum, Sampsucum, Origanum majorum[Pliny], Origanum majorana [Linneaus],

Origanum majoranoides, Majorana hortensis — Sweet Marjoram, Knotted Marjoram

Fat is made to smell like sampsuchum as follows. Takeone pound of well-prepared fat (especially bulls’ fat)

and a pound and a half of carefully bruised ripesampsuchum, mix them, sprinkle on it a good quantity ofwine and form them into little cakes. Afterwards placethem into a jar, cover them and let them remain for thatnight. In the morning throw them into a ceramic jar, pour water on them and boil them gently. When the fat losesits own taste, strain it and let it stand (well-covered) allthat night. The next morning take out the paste, andhaving cooled it, wipe away the filth in the bottom. Mix in again another pound and a half of bruised sampsuchum(as before), and make it into little cakes again, repeatingthe remainder of the process. Most importantly boil andstrain it, and additionally take away the filth if anyremains in the bottom, and put it in jars in a very coldplace.

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FATS

2-93. STEAR CHENEION KAIORNITHEION

SUGGESTED: Preserving Fat of Geese and Poultry

If anyone wants to preserve fat of geese, poultry orcalves (which has not been prepared) from putrefying,

it can be done as follows. Take whichever fresh fat youhave, wash it well, and after you have thoroughly cooledit in a sieve in the shade (when it is dry) put it into a cleanlinen cloth and press it out strongly with your hands.Then (having put a string through it) hang it up in ashady place. After many days wrap it in new paper andput it in jars in a very cold place. Fats also remain purestored in honey.

2-94. STEATON DUNAMIS

SUGGESTED: Medicinal uses of Fats

All fat is warming, softening and purifying; yet that ofbulls, cows and calves is somewhat astringent. The

lions’ is similar to these and they say it is an antidote todefend against those who intend treachery. Fat fromelephants and deer (rubbed on) drives away snakes. Thatfrom goats is more astringent, as a result it is given boiledwith polenta, rhoe [4-64] and cheese for dysentery; andwith barley water as a suppository or enema. The broth of these fats (sipped) is good for those with pulmonaryconsumption, and is effective given as an antidote tothose who have taken a drink of parasitically infectedwater. Fat from goats has the most dissolving nature andhelps the gouty, tempered with the berries of a goat [i.e.with goat’s dung] and saffron and applied. Sheep fat isequivalent to this. Swines’ fat is applied for disorders ofthe womb and perineum, and is also good for those burnt by fire. The same (kept in salt and grown very old in there as it were) warms and soothes. Washed in wine it is goodfor pleurisy. The same (applied with ash or chalk) is goodfor oedema, inflammation and fistulas [ulcers]. They saythat ass's fat makes scars all one colour. Fats of geese andpoultry are good for women’s disorders, cracks of thelips, clearing the face, and for sores of the ears. Bears’ fat is thought to make hair that was destroyed by alopecia

219


[baldness] grow again, and is good for chilblains. Foxes’fat cures sores of the ears. Fat of river fish (melted in thesun and mixed with honey) rubbed on the eyes clearstheir sight. The fat of a viper mixed (in equal parts) withcedria [1-105] Attic [Athenian] honey and old oil is alsogood for dullness of the sight and liquids in the eyes. Itmakes hair in the armpits that has been removed nevercome up again, applied by itself at the roots of the hair[depilatory].

2-95. MUELOI

SUGGESTED: Bone Marrow

Deer marrow is the best, then that from a calf, after,that from a bull, then a goat and a sheep. They are

gathered at the time when spring is drawing on, andtowards the autumn, for at other times of the year it isfound in the bones — looking bloody and similar to fleshthat is easily broken. It is hard to recognise except bywhoever takes it out of the bones and preserves it. Allmarrow is softening, purifying, and healing, and fills upthe hollow sores of ulcers. The bone marrow of a deer(rubbed on) also drives away venomous creatures. It isprepared like fat [above] being taken out of the choicestand freshest bones. Water is poured on it, and afterwardsit is strained through a linen cloth and similarly washeduntil the water becomes clean. Afterwards it is melted in a double jar, the filth that swims on top is taken off with afeather, and it is strained out into a mortar. After it hascongealed it is stored in a new earthenware jar, the filththat lies at the bottom having been carefully scrapedaway. If you want to store it unprepared follow thedirections given in fats of poultry and of geese.

2-96. CHOLE PASA

SUGGESTED: Gall from various Animals

All kinds of gall is prepared and stored as follows.Take gall that is new, bind the mouth [of the gall

bladder] with a linen thread, put it into boiling water, and then let it remain for as long as it would take to travelthree furlongs [3/8 mile]. Afterwards take it out and dry it

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FATS

in a shady dry place. For galls that you intend to mix witheye medicines, bind them with a linen thread, put theminto a glass bottle containing honey, tie the beginning ofthe thread to the mouth of the bottle, then cork it and putit in storage.

All kinds of gall are sharp and warming, varying instrength depending on their source. Galls from seascorpions [2-14], the fish called callionymus [uranoscopus],sea turtles and hyenas seem to be more effective; as wellas that of partridge, eagle, white hens and wild she-goats. They serve effectively for liquids and darkness of the eyes that has recently begun, argema [small white ulcer on thecornea], and coarse eyelids. A bull’s gall is more effectivethan that from a sheep, swine, or goat, as well as thatfrom a bear. All of them have a tendency to laxativeness(especially in children), if, dipping a lock of wool in there,you apply it to the perineum. Bulls’ gall with honey iseffectively rubbed on those troubled with tonsillitis. Itheals [ulcers] on the perineum to a scar, and purulentears and cracks in them, dropped in with goats’ milk orwomen’s, and it is also good for noise in the ears[dropped in] with juice from leeks. It is put into woundplasters, and ointments that are rubbed about the body to prevent poisoning. It is good with honey againstspreading erosive ulcers, and pains of the genitals and ofthe scrotum. It is an excellent cleanser for leprosy anddandruff with nitre [potassium nitrate — saltpetre] orfuller's earth [ammonium silicate]. Sheep and bear gallsare good for the same purposes but they are somewhatweaker: bear gall (taken in a linctus [syrup]) helps thosewith falling sickness. Gall from a tortoise is put into thenostrils for tonsillitis, and is also good for gangrenousulceration in the mouths of children, and epilepsy. Gallfrom a wild she-goat rubbed on effectively cures thedim-sighted. That from a he-goat does the same, and alsotakes away glandular fever. Rubbed on, it represses theprotuberances of elephantiasis [skin disease]. Gall fromswine is effective taken for ulcers in the ears and all theother things.

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2-97. PERI HAIMATON

Blood — CAUTION

Blood from a goose, duck, drake, or kid are usefullymixed with antidotes. Blood from a wood dove,

turtle, pigeon, and partridge are rubbed on new sores oneyes and on eyes that are bloodshot and have dull sight.In particular that from a pigeon stops bleeding from themeninges [membranes of the spinal cord and brain]. Blood from a he-goat, she-goat, deer or hare (fried in a pan andeaten) stop dysentery and discharges of the abdominalcavity. Taken in a drink with wine it is an antidote against poison. A hare’s blood rubbed on warm cures sunburnand freckles. Dog’s blood (taken as a drink) is good forthose bitten by a mad dog, or who have taken poison in adrink. Blood from an earth tortoise (taken as a drink) issaid to be good for epileptics. Blood of a sea turtle (takenin a drink with wine, rennet of a hare and cumin), is goodagainst the bites of venomous creatures, and an antidotefor drinking anything hateful or loathsome. Blood from abull applied with polenta disperses and softens hardness. Blood of stallion horses is mixed with antisepticmedicines. Blood from a chamaeleon is believed to makethe eyelids hairless, and that from green frogs is thoughtto have the same effectiveness. The menstrual blood of awoman rubbed on her (or if she walks over it) is thoughtto keep her from conception; yet rubbed on it alleviatesthe pains of gout and erysipela [streptococcal skininfection].

2-98. APOPATOS

Dung — CAUTION

The dung of a cow from the herd (applied whilst fresh) lessens the inflammation of wounds. It is wrapped in

leaves, warmed in hot ashes, and applied. Theapplication of it in the same way serves as a warm packfor lessening sciatica. Applied with vinegar it dissolveshardness, scrofulous tumours [goitres], and boneinflammation. In particular, breathing smoke from theburning dung of a male beast of the herd restores a uterus that has fallen down, and the fumes also drive gnats

222

FATS

away. The berries [dung] of goats, especially those thatlive on the mountains, (taken in a drink with wine) curesyellow jaundice. Taken in a drink with spices they induce the menstrual flow and are an abortifacient. Dried andpounded into small pieces and applied in wool withfrankincense they stop the flows of women, and withvinegar they restrain other discharges of blood. Theycure baldness, burnt and rubbed on with vinegar orvinegar and honey. Applied with swines’ grease theyhelp the gouty. Boiled with vinegar or wine they areapplied to the bites of snakes, creeping ulcers, erysipela[streptococcal skin infection] and parotitis [inflamedglands e.g. mumps]. Burnt goat dung is effectively takenfor sciatica as follows. In that hollow middle spacebetween thumb and forefinger where the thumbapproaches towards the wrist, first lay wool moistened in oil, then lay on it one by one hot pills of goat dung untilthe sense of it comes through the arm to the hip andlessens the pain. This type of burning is called Arabic. The dung of sheep applied with vinegar heals epinyctis[pustules which appear only at night], corns, hangingwarts, and warty abnormal growths; as well as burns,used with a waxy ointment of rosaceum [1-53]. The dry(dung) of a wild swine (taken as a drink with water orwine) prevents throwing up of blood, and lessens a long-enduring pain of the side. For hernia and convulsions it is taken as a drink with vinegar, and it cures dislocationsused with rosaceum [1-53] waxy ointment. The dung ofasses as well as horses staunches bleeding (whether usedraw or burnt) mixed with vinegar. Dung of one of thedrove that goes at grass (after it is dry) is steeped in wineand taken as a drink to considerably help those bitten byscorpions. Doves’ dung (being more hot and burning) iseffective mixed with barley meal, but with vinegar itdissolves tumours [possibly goitre]. It breaks carbuncles[infected boils] [malignant skin tumours], poundedtogether with honey and hempseed and oil, and it healsburns. Poultry dung does the same but less effectively,yet in particular it is good (taken in a drink with vinegaror wine) as an antidote against deadly mushrooms andthe suffering of coli [colic]. Dung of a stork (taken in adrink with water) is thought to be good for epilepsy.Inhaled, the smoke of the dung of a vulture is reported tobe an abortifacient. The dung of mice (pounded intosmall pieces with vinegar and rubbed on) cures baldness.

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Taken as a drink with frankincense and honeyed wine itexpels urinary stones. Mouse dung given to children [as a suppository] encourages the bowels to evacuate. Dogdung that is taken up in the heat of the dog days[midsummer], dried, and taken in a drink with water orwine, is an astringent for the bowels. That of men(new-made, applied as a poultice) keeps wounds frominflaming; and it closes open cuts and joins themtogether. Dried and rubbed on with honey it is reportedto help those troubled with tonsillitis. The dung of anearth crocodile is good for women to colour the face andmake it shine. The best is smallest and soon crumbled,smooth as amyl [starch] and quickly melted in liquid.Pounded, it is somewhat sour, resembling fermenteddough in the smell. They counterfeit it by feedingstarlings with rice and selling their dung because it issimilar. Others mix amyl [starch] or cymolia [cimolite —soft earth — hydrous silicate of alumina], colour it withanchusa, sift it finely through a thin sieve, dry it until itlooks like little worms and sell it instead of this. (It isfound among secrets that man’s dung as well as dogs’dung mixed with honey and applied to the throat is aremedy for tonsillitis.)

2-99. PERI OURON

Urine — CAUTION

A man’s own water (taken as a drink) is an antidoteagainst viper bites, deadly medicines and dropsy as

it begins. And it is applied with hot cloths for the bites ofsea vipers, sea scorpions, and sea dragons [2-15]. Dogs’urine makes a warm pack for those bitten by mad dogs,and with saltpetre [potassium nitrate] it cleans leprosyand itchiness. Older urine is a better cleanser for achor[scaly eruption of the scalp], dandruff, psoriasis and hoteruptions, and it represses gangrenous ulcerations, eventhose in the genitals. Put into purulent ears it repressestheir pus; and boiled in a pomegranate rind it dries outworms in the ears. The urine of an incorrupt boy (sipped)is good for asthma; and boiled in brass with honey itcleans the scar of a healed wound, argemae [small whiteulcers on the cornea], and dim vision. The same urinewith cyprian brass makes a glue for soldering gold

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together. The substance of the urine (rubbed on)alleviates erysipela [streptococcal skin infection]. It easespains of the womb boiled with cyprinum [1-65] andapplied. It eases those troubled with constriction of thewomb, cleans the eyelids, and purges scars in the eyes.Bull’s urine pounded together with myrrh and droppedin the ears lessens earache. Boar’s urine has a similarproperty— more particularly, taken as a drink it breaksand expels stones in the bladder. Two cups of urine of agoat taken in a drink with spica nardi [spikenard] withwater every day (is said) to expel urine through thebowels, and dropped in the ears it cures sores of the ears.Urine of an ass is said to cure inflamed kidneys.

2-100. LUNGOURION

Lyncurium — Urine of a Lynx

Lyncurium [urine of a lynx] is thought (as soon as it ispissed out) to grow into a stone, as a result it has only

a foolish report. Some call this succinum pterygophoron [the wing of accompaniment] because it draws feathers to it.Taken as a drink with water it is good for a stomach and intestines troubled with excessive discharge.

2-101. MELI

SUGGESTED: Honey

Attic [Athenian] honey is the best, especially thatcalled hymettium; the next best is that from the

Cyclad Islands, and that from Sicily called simblium. Themost appreciated is extremely sweet and sharp, with afragrant smell, a pale yellow colour, not liquid butglutinous and firm, and which when taken (as it were)leaps back to the finger. It is cleansing, opens pores, anddraws out fluids. As a result it is good for all rotten andhollow ulcers when infused. Boiled and applied it healsflesh that stands separated, and it cures lichen [skindisease with red pustules] boiled with liquid allom[5-123] and applied; as well as noise in the ears and theirpains, dropped in lukewarm with salt dug up or minedsea shells pounded into small pieces. Rubbed on it killslice and nits, and restores the exposed nut of the yard [old

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English — rod, penis] which was opened bycircumcision, the foreskin being softened with honey(especially after bathing) for thirty days. It cleans awaythings that darken the pupils of the eyes. It healsinflammations around the throat and tonsils, andtonsillitis, either rubbed on or gargled. It induces themovement of urine, and cures coughs and those bitten by snakes. Taken warm with rosaceum [1-53] it is an antidotefor meconium [4-65]; and is either licked or taken in a drink for fungi and those bitten by mad dogs. Raw [honey]inflates the intestines and encourages coughs — as aresult you ought to use clarified [honey]. Spring honey isthe best, then that of summer, but that of winter (beingthicker) is the worst, causing weals and blisters.

2-102. MELI SARDOON

SUGGESTED: Sardinian Honey

The honey that is made in Sardinia is bitter becausethe bees feed on wormwood [3-26] yet it is good

rubbed on the face for sunburn and spots.

2-103. MELI PONTIKON

SUGGESTED: Heraclean Honey

At some times (of the year) honey is made in Heracleaof Pontus which, from the property of certain

flowers, makes eaters of it beside themselves withsweating, but they are helped by eating rue [3-52, 3-53,4-98] and salt meat and drinking mead [honey wine],taking these as often as they vomit. It is sharp and thesmell causes sneezing. Rubbed on with costum [1-15] itheals sunburn, and with salt it takes away bruises.

2-104. SAKCHARON

SUGGESTED: Arundo saccharifera, Saccharum officinale, Bambusa arundinacea — Sugar Reeds

There is a kind of coalesced honey called sugar foundin reeds in India and Arabia the happy, similar in

consistency to salt and brittle [enough] to be broken 226

FATS

between the teeth like salt. It is good dissolved in waterfor the intestines and stomach, and taken as a drink tohelp a painful bladder and kidneys. Rubbed on itdisperses things which darken the pupils.

2-105. KEROS

SUGGESTED: Beeswax

The best wax is a pale yellow, somewhat fat, with asweet taste and having the scent as it were of honey,

yet pure. It is usually either Pontic or Cretan. The nextbest is somewhat white and fat. Wax is made white asfollows. Cut clean wax into small pieces, put it into a newjar and pour on it as much sea water (taken out of thedeep) as shall be sufficient, and boil it, sprinkling a littlesaltpetre [potassium nitrate] on it. When it has boiled two or three times remove the jar, let it cool, take out the calce[lime] and scrape off the filth if there is any around it, andboil it again, adding more fresh seawater to it. When thewax has boiled again (as before) remove the jar from thefire, take the bottom of a new little jar (first moistened incold water), let it down gently into the wax, dipping it in a little with a soft touch, that a little of it may be taken, andthat it may be coalesced together separately. Havingtaken it up, pull off the first cake and let down the bottomof the jar again, cooling it in water again, and do this untilyou have taken up all the wax. Then pierce the little cakes with a linen thread and hang them up at some distancefrom one another. In the daytime set them in the sun,sprinkle them every now and then with water, and atnight set them under the moon until they becomeperfectly white. If anyone wants to make itextraordinarily white let him do these things in the sameway but let him boil it more often. Some, instead of seawater taken out of the deep, boil it as previouslydescribed once or twice in very sharp brine, thenafterwards they take it out on a thin, round bottle with ahandle. Afterwards, laying the little round cakes on thickgrass, they place them in the sun until at last they becomewonderfully white. They advise to set about this work inthe spring when the sun both lessens its intensity andyields dew, so that the wax does not melt. All wax iswarming, softening and reasonably filling. It is mixed in

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broths for dysentery, and is swallowed down in anamount equal to ten grains of millet, as it does not allowthe milk to curdle in those who suckle [breastfeeding].

2-106. PROPOLIS

SUGGESTED: Bee-glue

The yellow bee-glue that has a sweet scent andresembles styrax [1-79] should be chosen, and which

is soft, excessively dry, and easy to spread (like mastic[1-90]). It is extremely warm and attractive, and drawsout thorns and splinters. The smoke from it (inhaled)helps old coughs, and it is applied to take away lichen[skin disease with red pustules]. It is found around themouths of hives, being similar in nature to wax.

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FATS

Blepharis edulis


FRUMENTACEA: CEREALS 2-107. PUROI

SUGGESTED: Tritici primum genus, Triticum vulgare [Fuchs] Triticum sativum, Triticum aesetivum, Triticum tertium genus

[Fuchs], Triticum turegidum [Linnaeus] — Wheat

[other usage] Pirum, Pyrum, Puroi — Pear Tree [Pliny]

The most effective pyrum [wheat] for the preservationof health is new, fully ripe and a yellowish colour.

Then after this is trimestre [called this because it is ripe inthree months] called by some sitanium, which eaten rawbreeds worms in the loins [lower torso]. Chewed andapplied it helps those bitten by a mad dog. Bread made ofthe flour of it is more nourishing than the panis cibarius[from the merchants] but that from the meal of trimestrisis lighter and quickly distributed.

Wheat meal is applied as a plaster with juice ofhyoscyamus [4-69] for discharges of the nerves and puffing up of the bowels; with vinegar and honey it takes awayfreckles. Bran boiled with sharp vinegar and applied as awarm poultice removes leprosy, and is a convenientpoultice for all inflammations as they begin. Boiled with a decoction of rue it represses swelling breasts, and is goodfor those bitten by vipers, or troubled with griping. Thefermented dough of the meal (being warming andextractive) effectively lessens calluses in the soles of thefeet. It ripens and opens other protuberances and boils orinflammatory tumours with salt. Meal from sitanianwheat is good applied as a poultice with vinegar or winefor those bitten by venomous creatures. Boiled like glueand taken as linctus [syrup] it helps those who spit blood.It is good against coughs and irritations of the arteriesboiled together with mint and butter. Wheat flour boiledwith honey and water, or oil mixed with water, dissolvesany inflammation. Bread (either raw or baked) appliedwith honey and water lessens all inflammation, is verysoftening, and somewhat cooling, mixed with someherbs or juices. Both by itself or mixed with other things,wheat that is old and dry stops loose bowels. Wheat thatis new (steeped in brine and applied) cures old lichen[papular skin disease]. Glue made either of fine flour or

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the finest meal for gluing books, is good for those whospit blood, if it is made more liquid and lukewarm and aspoonful is sipped up.

2-108. KRITHE

SUGGESTED: Hordeum polystichum, Hordeum distichum [Fuchs],Hordeum distichon [Brunfels, Linnaeus],

Hordeum tetrastichum [in Sprague] — Two-row Barley Hordeum sativum, Hordeum vulgare — Six-row Barley

see 2-157, Crithmum maritimum

The best crithe is is white and clean but it is lessnourishing than wheat; yet crithe water is more

nourishing than the polenta that is made of it by reason of the cream that comes off it in the boiling. It is good forirritations, roughness of the arteries and ulcers. Wheatwater is also good for these things as it is more nourishing and diuretic. It causes an abundance of milk[breastfeeding] boiled together with marathrum [3-81]seed and sipped. It is urinary, cleansing, flatulent, bad forthe stomach, and ripens oedema. Meal of it boiled withfigs, honey and water dissolves oedema andinflammation. It digests hard lumps with pitch, rosin anddoves’ dung. It brings ease to those troubled with pain intheir side with melilot [3-48] and the heads of poppies. It is applied as a poultice with flax seed, fenugreek and rue[3-52, 3-53, 4-98] against gaseousness in the intestines.With moist pitch, wax, the urine of an uncorrupted childand oil it ripens scrofulous tumours [glandular swelling,goitres]. With myrtle, wine, wild pears, bramble, orpomegranate rinds it stops discharges of the bowels.With quinces or vinegar it is good for goutyinflammation. Boiled with sharp vinegar (as a poulticemade of crithe meal) and applied warm it cures leprosy.Juice extracted out of the meal with water and boiledwith pitch and oil is good for discharges of the joints.Meal of crithe stops discharges of the bowels and lessensinflammation.

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FRUMENTACEA: CEREALS

2-109. ZUTHOS

SUGGESTED: Zythum, Hordeum sativum, Hordeum vulgare[Pliny] — Soured Barley Water, Egyptian Malt Liquor

Zythum is made from barley. It is diuretic but hurtfulto the kidneys and nerves (being especially bad for

the neural membrane). It is also wind inducing, producesbad fluids, and causes leprosy. Ivory steeped in it is madefit to work on.

2-110. KOURMI

SUGGESTED: Hordeum sativum, Hordeum vulgare — Fermented Barley Drink

Adrink is made from barley, called curmi, whichpeople often drink instead of wine. It causes

headaches, breeds ill fluids, and hurts the tendons. Thereare similar sorts of drink made from wheat in westernIberia and in Brittany.

2-111. ZEIA

SUGGESTED: Zeae alterum genus [Fuchs], Zea briza dicta, Zea monococcus germanica [Brunfels], Triticum monococcum

— Small Spelt, Engrain, One-grained Wheat

Zeae primum genus [Fuchs], Zeae dicoccus major [Bauhin]

Triticum dicoccum — Emmer Wheat, Two-grained Wheat Triticum zea, Triticum spelta — Spelt Wheat, Dinkel Wheat

There are two kinds of zea — one single and the otherdicoccous, having the seed joined in two husks. It is

more nourishing than barley, pleasant-tasting to themouth, but made into bread it is less nourishing thanwheat.

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2-112. KRIMNON

SUGGESTED: Triticum zea, Triticum spelta — Spelt Wheat,Dinkel Wheat

Triticum dicoccum — Emmer Wheat, Two-grained Wheat Triticum vulgare, Triticum sativum, Triticum aesetivum

— Wheat

Crimnum from which porridge is made is the coarsestmeal that is made from zea and wheat. It is

abundantly nourishing and easy to digest, but that fromzea is more astringent to the bowels, especially dried bythe fire beforehand.

2-113. OLURA

SUGGESTED: Olyra, Spelta, Triticum romanum [Bedevian]

Olyra [grain] is very similar to zea but somewhat lessnourishing. It is also made into bread and crimnum

[porridge] is similarly made of it.

2-114. ATHERA

SUGGESTED: Triticum zea, Triticum spelta — Alica, Spelt Wheat, Dinkel Wheat

Triticum dicoccum — Emmer Wheat, Two-grained Wheat

Athera is made of zea ground very small. It is a spoon-meal (similar to liquid porridge) suitable for

children, and it is good in plasters.

2-115. TRAGOS

SUGGESTED: Tragus berteronianus — Carrot Seed Grass

Tragus is somewhat similar in shape to chondrus[below] but is much less nourishing than zea [above]

because it has much chaff. As a result it is hard to digestand softens the bowels.

232


233


Triticum sativum


234


Hordeum sativum


2-116. BROMOS

SUGGESTED: Avena [Fuchs], Avena vulgaris [Bauhin]Avena sativa var β [Linnaeus] — Oats

[other usage] Bromus arvensis — Corn Brome Grass Bromus temulentus, Lolium temulentum, Crepolea temulentum

— Darnel, Cheat, Ryegrass, Ivray

NARCOTIC

see 4-140

Bromus is a grass similar to wheat in the leaves,distinguished by knots, and it has fruit on the top (as

it were, two-footed little locusts) in which is the seed, aseffective for poultices as barley. Porridge is also madefrom it for binding the intestines. Cream of bromus issipped to help those troubled with a cough.

2-117. ORUZA

SUGGESTED: Oryza sativa — Rice

Oryza is a kind of grass growing in marshy and moistplaces, moderately nourishing and binding to the

bowels.

2-118. CHONDROS

SUGGESTED:Triticum zea, Triticum spelta — Spelt Wheat,Dinkel Wheat

Triticum dicoccum — Emmer Wheat, Two-grained Wheat

Chondrus is made of grain called zea dicoccos, morenourishing than rice, and more binding to the

intestines, but far better for the stomach. Boiled withvinegar it takes away leprosy; and rubbed on it drivesaway pitted nails, cures aegilopses [ulcer or fistula in theinner angle of the eye] that are new, and a decoction of itis a fit suppository for those who have dysentery withmuch pain.

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Oryza sativa


2-119. KENCHROS

SUGGESTED: Milium [Fuchs], Panicum chrus-galli, Echinochloa chrus-galli, Oplismenus chrus-galli

— Small Millet, Barnyard Grass, Cockspur Panicum Panicum miliaceum [Linnaeus] — Millet, Panic Millet

Setaria italica, Chaetochloa italica — Italian Millet[other usage] Cenchrus lappaceus — Bur Cenchrus

Cenchrus (which the Romans call millet) is lessnourishing than other grains, but made into bread

(or used as porridge) it stops discharges of the intestinesand induces the passing of urine. Heated and put warminto bags [as a hot pad] it helps griping and otherdisorders.

2-120. ELUMOS

SUGGESTED: Panicum [Fuchs], Setaria italica [in Sprague][other usage] Lyme Grass, Marram, Mat Grass

— Elymus arenarius

Elymus is of grain seeds similar to millet which aremade into meal in the same way, and are effective for

the same uses, yet are less nourishing than millet and lessastringent. The Romans call it panicum, and others call itmelinen.

2-121. SESAMON

SUGGESTED: Sesamum indicum, Sesamum orientale, Sesamum oleiferum — Sesame seeds, Gingelly, Gingili

Sesamum is hurtful to the stomach and causes astinking breath in the mouth, if after it is eaten it

remains between the teeth. Applied it dispersesthicknesses in the nerves. It heals fractures, inflammation in the ears, burns, disorders of the colon, and the bites ofthe horned viper. With rosaceum [1-53] it eases headachescaused by heat. The herb boiled in wine does the same. Itis especially good for inflammation and sores of the eyes.Oil is made [from the seeds] of it that the Egyptians use.

236


237


Triticum spelta


238


Asparagus altilis

from FUCHS — 1545

2-122. AIRA

SUGGESTED: Lolium [Fuchs], Lychnis segetum major [Bauhin],Agrostemma githago [Linnaeus] — Corn Cockle

[other usage] Molinia caerulea, Aira coerulea — Purple Molinia, Lavender Grass, Blawing Grass

see 2-116

Aira (which grows among wheat) ground up has thepower to remove the edges from nomae [grazer

disease, eats away muscle, tissue and bones], rottenulcers, and gangrene, applied as a poultice with radishesand salt. With natural sulphur and vinegar it cures wildlichenae [skin disease] and leprosy. Boiled in wine withpigeons’ dung and flaxseed it dissolves scrofuloustumours [glandular swelling, goitres], and breaks openswellings that are hard to ripen. Boiled with honey andwater and applied as a poultice it is good for those withsciatica. The smoke inhaled with polenta, myrrh [1-77,1-73, 4-116], saffron, or frankincense helps conception.The Romans call it lolium, and it is also called thyaron.

2-123. AMULON

SUGGESTED: Starch, Amyl

Amyl is called this because it is made without the helpof a mill. The best is made of that wheat which

ripens in three months and grows in Crete or Egypt. It ismade from this clean three-months wheat [sitanium ortrimestre] being steeped in water five times a day, and if itis possible in the night too. When it has become soft youmust pour out the water gently without jogging so thatthe best starch is not poured out together with it. When itappears to be very soft (having poured out the water) itmust be trod with the feet, and having poured in (other)water again it must be pounded. Then the bran that liesunderneath must be taken away with a skimmer, andthat which is left must be strained, and after it is strainedyou are to dry it on new tiles in a very warm sun, for if itremains moist even a little it presently grows sour. It iseffective against discharges of the eyes, hollow ulcers and pustules. Taken in a drink it stops the throwing-up of

239


blood, as well as disorders of the arteries. It is mixed withmilk and sauces. Starch is also made from zea [Triticumzea] that is steeped for one or two days, kneaded with thehands like dough, and dried in a very hot sun (as hasbeen formerly described). This is not fit for bodily use butfor other uses it is fit enough.

240


Sesamum indicum


241


Elymus arenarius

from WILLKOMM — 1903

242


Milium

from FUCHS — 1545

LACHANA: VEGETABLES2-124. TELEOS ALEURON, TELIS

SUGGESTED: Foenograecum, Foenumgraecum [Fuchs],Foenumgraecum sativum [Bauhin],

Trigonella foenum-graecum [Linnaeus] — Fenugreek

Telis [flour of fenugreek] and meal of fenugreek aresoftening and dispersing. Pounded into small pieces

with boiled honey and water and applied as a poultice, itis good for both inner and outer inflammation. Poundedinto small pieces and applied as a plaster with saltpetre[potassium nitrate] and vinegar it reduces the spleen. Adecoction of it is a bath for women’s problems causedeither from inflammation or closure (of the vulva). Thecream of it (boiled in water and strained out) cleans hair,dandruff and scaly eruptions on the scalp. It is insertedinstead of a pessary with goose grease, softening anddilating the places about the womb. With vinegar thegreen leaves are good for weak and ulcerated places. Adecoction is used for ineffective straining at stools orurination, and for stinking loose bowels from dysentery.The oil (with myrtle) cleans hair and scars in the privateparts.

It is also called carpon, buceras, aegoceras, ceraitis, orlotos, the Latins call it foenumgraecum, and the Egyptians,itasin.

2-125. LINON

SUGGESTED: Linum sativum [Bauhin], Linum usitatissimum — Flax

Linum [flax] is commonly known. The seed (boiledwith honey and oil and a little water, or taken in

boiled honey) has the same strength as fenugreek,dispersing and softening all inflammation inwardly andoutwardly. Used raw (applied as a plaster with saltpetre[potassium nitrate] and figs) it takes away sunburn andvaricose veins. With lye it disperses inflammation of theparotid gland and hard lumps. Boiled with wine it cleansaway herpes [viral skin infection] and favus [contagious

243


skin disease]. It takes off pitted nails, taken with an equalamount of nasturtium [2-185] and honey. Taken withhoney instead of syrup, it brings up things from the chestand it relieves coughs. Mixed with honey and pepperinto a flat cake and eaten, it encourages the pursuit ofsexual pleasure [aphrodisiac]. A decoction is given as asuppository for ulcers of the bowels and womb, as well asfor expelling excrement; and it is very good (like adecoction of fenugreek) used as a hip bath forinflammation of the womb. It is also called linocalamis,anion, or linon agrion; the Romans call it linomyrum, andthe Africans, zeraphis.

2-126. EREBINTHOS

SUGGESTED: Cicer nigrum [Fuchs], Cicer sativum [Bauhin]Cicer arietinum [Linnaeus] — Chick-pea, Gram

Astragalus cicer, Phaca cicer — Mountain Chickpea, Vetch

Erebus — God of the Underworld

Cicer that is set or sown is agreeable to the stomach,diuretic, causes winds and a good colour all around,

expels the menstrual flow, is an abortifacient, andencourages milk. It is applied as a poultice (especiallyboiled with ervum [2-129, 2-131]) for inflammation fromstones [urinary, kidney], protruding warts, scabs,running ulcers of the head, and for lichenae [skin disease],and cancerous malignant ulcers with barley and honey.The other type is called arietinus and both of them arediuretic, a decoction being given with libanotis[medicated drinks] for yellow jaundice and dropsy; butthey hurt an ulcerated bladder and the kidneys. Sometouch the top of every wart with a cicer when the moon isnew, some with one, some with another, bind them up ina linen cloth and command them to be put backward, asthough the warts would fall away by these means. Thereis also a wild cicer with leaves similar to that which is setor sown, sharp in smell but different in the seed,serviceable for the same uses as the set plants.

244

LACHANA: VEGETABLES

245


Nelumbo nucifera


246

LACHANA: VEGETABLES

Faba vulgaris

from FUCHS — 1545

2-127. KUAMOS HELLENIKOS

SUGGESTED: Faba, Faba vulgaris [Fuchs]Vicia faba [Linnaeus] — Broad Bean

Cyamus, Cyamos, Colocasia [Pliny] — Egyptian Bean

see 2-197, 2-128

Cyamus. The Greek bean is windy, flatulent, hard todigest, and causes troublesome dreams. Yet it is

good for coughs and gaining body weight, as it is in themidst of hot and cold. Boiled with vinegar and honey and eaten with the husks it stops dysentery and discharges ofthe coeliac [intestinal complaints]; and eaten it is goodagainst vomiting. It is made less flatulent if the first waterin which it was boiled is thrown away. Green [raw] beansare worse for the stomach and more wind inducing. Meal from the bean (applied as a poultice either by itself orwith polenta) lessens inflammation from a stroke, makesscars all one colour, helps swollen inflamed breasts, anddries up milk. With honey and meal of fenugreek itdissolves boils or inflammatory tumours, parotidtumours, and blueness under the eyes. With roses,frankincense and the white of an egg it represses thefalling-forwards of the eyes, staphylomata [inflammatoryprotrusion of the cornea] and oedema. Kneaded withwine it helps excessive liquids and blows to the eyes.Chewed without the husks, it is applied to the foreheadas a coolant for discharges. Boiled in wine it cures theinflammation of stones [urinary, kidney]. Applied as apoultice to the place where the pubic hair grows inchildren, it keeps them hairless for a long time. It cleansvitiligines [form of leprosy]. If the husks are applied as apoultice it makes hair that has been plucked grow outemaciated and thin. Applied with polenta, alumen [5-123]and old oil it dissolves scrofulous tumours [glandularswelling]. A decoction of it dyes wool. It is applied todischarges of blood caused by leeches, shelled anddivided in two parts as it grew. The cut half closelypressed on suppresses it.

247


2-128. KUAMOS AIGUPTIOS

SUGGESTED: Nelumbium speciosum, Nelumbo nucifera, Nelumbium nelumbo, Nymphaea nelumbo, Nelumbo nucifera

— Nelumbo, East Indian Lotus, Sacred Bean,Egyptian Bean, Pythagorean Bean, Seed of the Lotus

see 2-127

The Egyptian bean (which some call pontican) growsabundantly in Egypt, Asia and Cilicia, and is found in

marshy places. It has a leaf as great as a hat, a stalk theheight of a foot, about the thickness of a finger. Theflower is a rose colour, twice as big as the flower of apoppy. Having done blowing it bears pods similar to little bags, in each of which is a little bean (standing out abovethe covering) similar to a little bladder. It is called ciboriumor cibotium (as we should say, loculamentum) because thesetting of the bean is made when it is put in moist landand so left in the water. The root is thicker than that of the reed and lies underneath. This is used either boiled orraw and is called collocasia. The bean itself is also eatengreen, but when dry it grows black and is bigger than theGreek one, astringent, and good for the stomach. As aresult the meal that is made from them, sprinkled oninstead of polenta, is good for dysentery and theabdominal cavity, and it is given as a porridge. The huskswork better boiled in mulsum [honey, water and wine]and three cupfuls of it given to drink. The green in themiddle of them is bitter to taste, and good for earache,pounded into small pieces, boiled with rosaceum [1-53]and dropped in the ears.

2-129. PHAKOS

SUGGESTED: Lens [Fuchs], Lens vulgaris [Bauhin], Ervum lens [Linnaeus], Lens esculenta, Lens culinaris — Lentils

see 2-131

Phaca (which the Latins call lens or lentils) is frequentlyeaten. It is dulling to the sight, hard to digest,

worthless for the stomach, puffs up the stomach andintestines with wind, but is therapeutic for the intestinesif eaten with the husks. The best is easily digested and

248

LACHANA: VEGETABLES

249


Lens

from FUCHS — 1545

250

LACHANA: VEGETABLES

Foenumgraecum

from FUCHS — 1545

leaves nothing black when steeping it. It is astringent; asa result it is therapeutic for the bowels, if the husks aretaken away first, and it is well boiled. The first water inwhich it is boiled is thrown away as the first boiling islaxative to the bowels. It causes troublesome dreams andis bad for sinewy parts, the lungs and the head. It will doits proper work better against discharges of the bowels ifit is mixed with vinegar, intubus [endive], purslane, blackbeet, myrtle berries, pomegranate rinds, dry roses,medlars, service fruit, Theban pears, dates, the fruit ofcotonea [1-160], chicory, plantain, whole galls [oak galls](which are thrown away after they are boiled), or rhoe[4-64] which is sprinkled on meats. The vinegar must becarefully boiled with it otherwise it troubles the bowels.Thirty grains of lentils (pilled and swallowed) help achurning stomach. Boiled and re-boiled with polenta and applied, it lessens gout. With honey it joins together thehollowness of sores, breaks the scabs of ulcers and cleansthem. Boiled with vinegar it disperses hard lumps andscrofulous tumours [glandular swelling, goitres]. Withmelilot [3-48] or the fruit of cotonea (and rosaceum [1-53]mixed with it all) it heals inflammation of the eyes andthe perineum. For a worse inflammation of the perineumand large hollow sores, it is boiled with pomegranaterinds or dry roses as well as honey. It is good withseawater for ulcers of the cheek that have becomegangrenous. It is good taken as previously described forshingles [herpes], pustules, erysipela [streptococcal skininfection] and chilblains. Boiled in seawater and appliedit helps swollen breasts and curdling milk in women’sbreasts.

251


2-130. PHASIOLOS

SUGGESTED: Phasiolus, Isopyron, Isopyrum, Phaseolites,Phaseolus, Phasel [Pliny], Phaseolus lunatus [Linnaeus in

Mabberley] — Pulses

[other usage] Phaseolus vulgaris, Phaseolus coccineus— French Beans, Kidney Beans, Scarlet Runner Beans,

Haricot Beans

see 4-121, 2-176

Phasiolus is flatulent, stirs up wind, and is hard todigest. Boiled green and eaten, it softens the bowels

but is apt to make one vomit.

2-131. OROBOS

SUGGESTED: Ervum sativum, Ervum album sativum [Fuchs]Lathyris sativus [Bauhin, Linnaeus], Ervum sylvestre,

Lathyris sylvestris [in Sprague] — Indian Pea, Riga Pea, Dogtooth Pea [Mabberley] causes motorneurone disease

[other usage] Orobus tuberosus — Orobe, Bitter Vetch

Orobos (which the Latins call ervum) is a little well-known shrub with narrow thin leaves, bearing little

seeds in the husks from which a meal is made calledervina that is fit for bodily uses. If it is eaten it annoys thehead, troubles the bowels, and brings out blood throughthe urine. It fattens beasts if it is boiled and given to them.Ervina flour is made as follows. Select the fullest andwhitest seeds, sprinkle them with water and stir themtogether. When you have allowed them to absorbenough water, dry them until their husks are quitebroken. Then grind them, sift them through a fine sieveand put the flour in storage. It is good for the bowels,diuretic, and causes a good colour. Taken excessivelyeither in meat or drink it brings out blood through theintestines and bladder (with suffering). With honey itcleans ulcers, freckles, sunburn, spots, and the rest of thebody. It stops ulcers of the cheeks, scleroma [hardenednasal or laryngeal tissue patches], and gangrene. Itsoftens hard lumps in the breasts, and emarginates[removes the edge of] wild boils, carbuncles [infected

252

LACHANA: VEGETABLES

253


Linum usitatissimum


254

LACHANA: VEGETABLES

Cicer arietinum


boils] [malignant skin tumours] and favus [contagiousskin disease]. Kneaded with wine and applied it cures the bites of dogs, bites of men, and of vipers; with vinegar itlessens painful frequent urination, griping, andineffective straining at stool or urination. Toasted andtaken with honey (in the amount of a nut) it is good forthose whose meat does not nourish them. A decoctionapplied with hot cloths cures chilblains and itchiness onthe body.

2-132. THERMOS EMEROS

SUGGESTED: Lupinus albus [Fuchs, Linnaeus], Lupinus termis — Egyptian Lupin, Termus

Thermus which is sown is commonly known. The mealof it taken as a linctus [syrup] with honey (or as a

drink with vinegar) expels worms; and the lupinsthemselves steeped and eaten bitter does the same, aswell as a decoction of them taken as a drink with rue[3-52, 3-53, 4-98] and pepper. This also helps the splenetic. It is good as a warm pack for gangrene, wild ulcers, scabsthat are new, vitiligines [type of leprosy], spots, rashessuch as measles, and running ulcers on the head. Thesame given in a pessary with myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116] and honey extracts the menstrual flow and is an abortifacient. The meal cleans the skin and its bruises, and with polenta and water it lessens inflammation. With vinegar it lessens the pains of sciatica and swellings. Boiled in vinegar andapplied as a poultice it induces passing of scrofuloustumours [glandular swelling, goitres] out of their place,and breaks carbuncles [infected boils] [malignant skintumours] all around. Lupines (boiled with rain wateruntil they cream) clear the face, and boiled with the rootof black chamaeleon [3-11] they cure scabs on sheep[veterinary] that are washed with a lukewarm decoctionof it. The root boiled with water and taken as a drinkexpels urine. The lupines themselves sweetened,pounded into small pieces and taken as a drink withvinegar soothe a nauseous stomach and cure lack ofappetite. The Latins call it lupinus, the Egyptians, brechu.

255


2-133. THERMOS AGRIOS

SUGGESTED: Lupinus angustifolius — Wild Lupin

There is a wild lupin that the Latins call lupinusagrestis, similar to that which is sown, yet it is in

every way less effective for the same purposes than thesown lupin.

2-134. GONGULIS

SUGGESTED: Rapum sativum, Rapum sativum album [Fuchs],Gongulis [Latin], Brassica rapa — Rape, Common Turnip

Brassica napus — Naphew, Nape, Winter Rape, Swede

The boiled root of gongule is nourishing yet verywindy. It breeds moist loose flesh and encourages

sexual appetite [aphrodisiac]. A decoction makes a warmpack for gout and chilblains. Used alone, pounded intosmall pieces and applied, it is good for the same thingstoo. If anyone makes the root hollow and melts a waxyointment of oil of roses in there in hot ashes, this iseffective for ulcerated chilblains. The tender tops areeaten boiled and they encourage urine [diuretic]. Theseed is good in antidotes and treacles that stop pain.Taken as a drink it is good against deadly medicines[antidote] and encourages sexual activity [aphrodisiac].Rapum pickled in brine and eaten is less nourishing, yet it restores the appetite. It is also called gongilida, orgolgosium; the Romans call it rapum.

2-135. GONGOLE AGRIOE

SUGGESTED: Rapum sylvestre, Napus-Bunias sylvestris [FuchsPlate #99], Barbarea vulgaris — Winter Cress, Yellow Rocket

Rapunculus esculentis [Bauhin], Campanula rapunculus[Linnaeus] — Rampion [Mabberley]

The wild rapum grows in fields, a shrub of two feethigh, bearing many boughs, smooth on the top; [the

root] is the thickness of a finger or more. It bears seed inhusks similar to cups. When the coverings that contain

256

LACHANA: VEGETABLES

257


Napus Bunias sativus

from FUCHS — 1545

258

LACHANA: VEGETABLES

Napus Bunias sylvestris

from FUCHS — 1545

the seeds are opened there is another husk within(similar to a head) in which are little black seeds. Whenthese are broken they are white within. They are put intosebaceous treatments for clearing the face and other parts of the body, such as those made from the meal of lupins[2-132], wheat, lolium [2-116, 4-140], or ervum [2-129,2-131].

2-136. BOUNIAS

SUGGESTED: Napus-Bunias sativas [Fuchs Plate #98], Brassica campestris var rapa [Linnaeus], Barbarea praecox

— Land Cress[other usage] Bunias cakile, Cakile maritima

— Common Sea Rocket Bunias erucago, Bunias aspera, Bunias orientalis — Bunias

Bunias and its root (boiled) is wind-inducing and lessnourishing. The seed (taken in a drink beforehand)

makes poisons ineffective. It is mixed with antidotes andthe root is preserved in salt.

2-137. RAPHANIS

SUGGESTED: Raphanus sativus, Radix, Radicula [Fuchs, Brunfels, Linnaeus] — Common Cultivated Radish

Radish also breeds wind and heats. It is welcome tothe mouth but not good for the stomach; besides, it

causes belching and is diuretic. It is good for theintestines if one takes it after meat, helping digestionmore, but eaten beforehand it suspends the meat. Thus itis good for those who desire to vomit to eat it before meat. It also sharpens the senses. Boiled and taken it is good forthose who have had a cough for a long time, and whobreed thick phlegm in their chests. The skin (taken withvinegar and honey) is stronger to make one vomit, andgood for dropsy. Applied as a poultice it is good for thesplenetic. With honey it stops gangrenous ulceration ofthe cheeks, and takes away black and blue marks underthe eyes. It helps those bitten by vipers, and thickens hairlost from alopecia. With meal of lolium [2-116, 4-140] ittakes off freckles. Eaten or taken in a drink it helps thosestrangled from eating mushrooms, and drives down the

259


menstrual flow. Taken as a drink with vinegar the seedcauses internal ulcers, is diuretic, and reduces the spleen.Boiled with warm vinegar and honey it serves as a gargleto help tonsillitis. Taken as a drink with wine it helps bites from a horned viper; and smeared on with vinegar itemarginates [removes the edge of] gangrene powerfully.It is also called polyides eryngium, the Latins call it radixnostratis, and the Africans call it thorpath.

2-138. RAPHANOS AGRIA

SUGGESTED: Raphanis sylvestris, Armoracia [Fuchs],Raphanus rusticanus [Bauhin], Cochlearia armoracia [Linnaeus],

Nasturtium armoracia, Roripa armoracia, Radicula armoraciaArmoracia rusticana — Common Horseradish

The wild radish (which the Romans call armoracia) hasleaves similar to that which is sown, or rather more

similar to those of lampsana. The root is slender, soft, andsomewhat sharp; both the leaves and root are boiledinstead of vegetables. It is warming, diuretic andburning.

2-139. SISARON

SUGGESTED: Pastinaca sativa [Linnaeus]Sisarum sativum magnum, Sisarum sativum minus [Fuchs],Pastinaca sativa latifolia, Sisarum Germanorum [Bauhin],

Siser, Sisarum, Sium sisarum [Linnaeus, Bedevian], Pastinaca sylvestris latifolia, Pastinaca sativa [in Sprague]

— Skirret, Water Parsnip

Siser is commonly known. The root (eaten boiled) ispleasing to the taste and effective for the stomach. It is

diuretic and stirs up the appetite.

260

LACHANA: VEGETABLES

261


Brassica primum genus

from FUCHS — 1545

262

LACHANA: VEGETABLES

Brassica secundum genus

from FUCHS — 1545

2-140. LAPATHON

SUGGESTED: Oxylapathum, Lapatium acutum [Fuchs], Rumex obtusifolius [Linnaeus], Lapathum aquaticum

— Water Sorrel, Water Dock

Oxalis, Acetosa [Fuchs], Acetosa pratensis [Bauhin],Rumex acetosa [Linnaeus] — Dock, Sorrel [Mabberley]

Lapathum (one sort of it is called oxylapathum) grows inmarshy places. It is hard and somewhat pointed

towards the top, but that in the garden is not similar tothe other. There is a third kind that is wild, small, similarto plantain, soft, low. There is also a fourth kind calledoxalis, anaxuris, or lapathum, whose leaves are similar tothe wild small lapathum; the stalk is not great; the seed ispointed, red, and sharp on the stalk and the branches.The herbs of all of these (boiled) soothe the intestines.Applied raw as a poultice with rosaceum [1-53] or saffron it dissolves the melicerides [encysted tumour withexudation like honey]. The seed of the wild lapathum,oxylapathum and oxalis is effective (taken in a drink ofwater or wine) for dysentery, abdominal afflictions, ascorpion strike, and a nauseous stomach. If anyonedrinks it beforehand he shall have no hurt when struck(by a scorpion). The roots of these boiled with vinegar (orused raw and applied as a poultice) cures leprosy,impetigo [skin infection] and rough nails, but you mustfirst thoroughly rub the place in the sun with nitre[potassium nitrate — saltpetre] or vinegar. A decoction ofsorrel applied with hot cloths or mixed with a bathrelieves itchiness. It lessens earache and toothache usedas a rinse with liquid from sorrel boiled in wine. Boiled inwine and applied, they dissolve scrofulous tumours[glandular swelling], goitres, and swollen parotid glands. A decoction boiled in vinegar lessens the spleen. Someuse the roots as an amulet (hanging them around theneck) for goitre. Pounded into small pieces and applied,they also stop women’s flows. Boiled with wine andtaken as a drink they help jaundice, break stones in thebladder, draw out the menstrual flow, and help thosetouched by scorpions.

263


2-141. HIPPOLAPATHON

SUGGESTED: Rumicis secundum genus,Rhabarabum monarchorum [Fuchs], Hippolapathum latifolium[Bauhin], Rumex alpinus [Linnaeus], Rumex hydrolapathum

— Water Dock, Horse Sorrel

Hippolapathum is a great olus [one that is well known]growing in marshes. It has the same properties as

those mentioned above.

2-142. LAMPSANE

SUGGESTED: Lampsana communis, Lapsana communis — Common Nipplewort

Lampsana is a wild olus [one that is well known], morenourishing and more agreeable to the stomach than

lapathum, whose stalks and leaves are eaten boiled[vegetable]. The Latins call it napium [wood nymph], andthe Egyptians, euthmoe.

2-143. BLITON

SUGGESTED: Blitum [Fuchs],Bliti genus, Chenopodium polyspermum [Linnaeus], Amaranthus blitum,

Albersia blitum — Blite, Wild Amaranth

[other usage] Blitum virgatum — Strawberry Spinach

Blitum is also eaten as a vegetable, having no usemedicinally. The Egyptians call it eclotoripam, others,

riplam, the Latins, blitum, and the Dacians, bles.

264

LACHANA: VEGETABLES

265


Sisarum sativum magnum

from FUCHS — 1545

266

LACHANA: VEGETABLES

Rumicis tertium genus,Rumex obtusifolius

from FUCHS — 1545

2-144. MALACHE AGRIA, MALACHEKEPAIA

SUGGESTED: Malva hortensis, Malva sylvestris pumila [Fuchs],Alcea rosea, Malva rotundifolia, Malva sylvestris [Linnaeus],

Althea rosea [in Sprague] — Common Mallow

[other usage] Malache [Bedevian] — Wild Ochra Hibiscus esculentis, Abelmoschus esculentis

— Okra, Gombo, Gobbo

Malache that is sown is more fit to be eaten than thewild. It is bad for the stomach and good for the

bowels, especially the stalks, which are effective for theintestines and bladder. The raw leaves (chewed with alittle salt and rubbed on with honey) are able to cure anulcer in the inner angle of the eye, but when it must bebrought to a scar then it must be used with salt. Rubbedon it is effective for bee and wasp stings, and if a man isrubbed with it beforehand (raw, pounded finely with oil)he remains unstrikable. Applied with urine it curesrunning sores on the head and dandruff. The boiledleaves pounded into small pieces and applied with oilhelp burns and erysipela [streptococcal skin infection]. Adecoction of it is a softening bath for the womb, and is fitin suppositories for pangs of hunger in the intestines, forthe womb, and for the perineum. The broth boiledtogether with the roots helps all poisonings, but thosewho drink it must continuously vomit it up. It is good forthose bitten by harvest spiders, and it brings out milk.The seed of the wild lotus is mixed with it and taken as adrink with wine to lessen disorders of the bladder. TheLatins call it hortensis [of the garden], Pythagoras calls itanthema, Zoroastrians, diadesma, the Egyptians, chocorten,the Magi, caprae lien, and others, muris cauda.

2-145. ATRAPHAXIS

SUGGESTED: Atriplex hortensis [Fuchs, Linnaeus], Atriplex hortensis alba [Bauhin], Chenopodium album [Linnaeus]

— Goosefoot, Fat Hen[other usage] Atraphaxis spinosa — Prickly Atraphaxis

Atraphaxis [atra — black, phaxis — hair] is a well-known vegetable of two types — one wild, the other

267


sown in gardens. The latter is eaten boiled as a vegetable.Smeared on either raw or boiled it dissolvesinflammation in bones. The seed (taken in a drink withhoney and water) cures jaundice. It is also calledchrysolachanon, the Latins call it atriplex, and theEgyptians, ochi.

2-146. KRAMBE EMEROS

SUGGESTED: Brassica tertium genus, Crambe [Fuchs] — Kale Gossularia simplici acino, Spinosa sylvestris [Bauhin],

Brassica napus [Linnaeus] — Rape

Crambe that is sown or set is good for the bowels. It iseaten slightly boiled, for when thoroughly boiled it

is therapeutic for the intestines, and more so that which is twice boiled or boiled in lye. Summer crambe is worthlessfor the stomach and sharper, and that which grows inEgypt is inedible in its bitterness. Eaten, it helps the dull-sighted and those troubled with trembling. Taken aftermeat it extinguishes the maladies that come fromgluttony and wine [hangovers]. The young tendrils arebetter for the stomach yet sharper and more diuretic.Preserved in salt it is bad for the stomach and troubles the intestines. The juice (taken raw and swallowed with irisand saltpetre [potassium nitrate]) softens the intestines.Taken in a drink with wine it helps those bitten by aviper. With the meal of fenugreek and vinegar it helpsthose with gout in their feet and joints, and applied it isgood for foul or old ulcers. Poured into the nostrils byitself it purges the head. Taken as a pessary with meal oflolium [2-116, 4-140] it expels the menstrual flow. Theleaves pounded into small pieces and applied (eitheralone or with polenta) are good for any inflammation and oedema. They also heal erysipela [streptococcal skininfection], epinyctides [pustules which appear at night]and psoriasis. With salt they break carbuncles [infectedboils] [malignant skin tumours] all around. They stophair from falling out of the head. Boiled and mixed withhoney they are good against erosive gangrenes. Eatenraw with vinegar they are good for the splenetic. Chewed and the juice swallowed down they restore the loss of thevoice. A decoction (taken as a drink) induces movementof the bowels and the menstrual flow. The flower applied

268

LACHANA: VEGETABLES

269


Oxalis, Rumex acetosa

from FUCHS — 1545

270

LACHANA: VEGETABLES

Plantago media

from FUCHS — 1545

in a pessary after childbirth hinders conception. Theseed, especially of cabbage that grows in Egypt, (taken asa drink) expels worms. It is put into antidotes for the bitesof poisonous snakes.

It clears the skin on the face and cleans away freckles.The green stalks burnt together with the roots are mixedwith old swines’ grease and applied to lessen long-lasting pains in the side. It is also called crambe cepaea, i.e. gardenbrassica, while the Latins call it brassica.

2-147. KRAMBE AGRIA

SUGGESTED: Brassica oleracea — Wild Kale [Mabberley]

Wild crambe (which the Latins call brassica rustica)grows most commonly in steep coastal places. It is

similar to that which is sown but is whiter, rougher andbitter. The young tendrils boiled in lye are not unsavouryin the mouth. The leaves applied as a poultice are able toseal wounds, and dissolve oedema and inflammation.

2-148. KRAMBE THALASSIA

SUGGESTED: Crambe maritima — Sea Kale, Sea Cabbage

That which is called sea crambe is altogether differentfrom the cultivated, with many thin leaves similar to

the round aristolochia. Every one of them springs fromreddish branches out of one stalk (similar to cissus). It haswhite juice but not in any great abundance. It is salty tothe taste and somewhat bitter with a fatty substance. Thewhole herb is an enemy to the stomach, sharp, and eatenboiled excessively loosening to the bowels. Some(because of its sharpness) boil it together with fat fromrams.

271


Brassica oleracea


2-149. TEUTLON MELAN AGRION

SUGGESTED: Beta candida [Fuchs], Beta alba, Cicla officinarum [Bauhin], Beta vulgaris — White Beet,

Swiss Chard

Beta nigra [Fuchs], Beta rubra vulgaris [Bauhin] — Beetroot

There are two types of great teutlon. The black aremore astringent for the stomach boiled with lens

[lentils] (especially the root), but the white are good forthe intestines. They both have bad juice because of thesaltpetre [potassium nitrate] in them. As a result, the juice put into the nostrils with honey purges the head andhelps earache. A decoction of the roots and leaves applied with hot cloths cleanses dandruff and the lendes [loins(digestive or procreative) and buttocks], and sootheschilblains. You must rub vitiligines [form of leprosy] anderosive ulcers with the raw leaves and nitre [saltpetre], aswell as the the scalp for loss of hair on the head but firstshave it. Boiled, they heal rashes such as measles, as wellas burns and erysipela [streptococcal skin infection]. TheLatins call it beta silvatica.

2-150. ANDRACHNE

SUGGESTED: Portulaca hortensis [Fuchs], Portulaca latifolia,Portulaca sativa [Bauhin], Portulaca oleracea [Linnaeus],

Peplo [Italian], Portulaca oleracea var sativa — Garden Purslane

[other usage] Andrachne telephoides — False Orpine Arbutus andrachne — Greek Strawberry Tree

Andrachne is astringent. Applied with polenta it helpsheadaches, inflammation of the eyes, other

(inflammations), burning of the stomach, erysipela[streptococcal skin infection], and disorders of thebladder. Eaten, it lessens numbness of the teeth, burningof the stomach and intestines and their excessivedischarges, helps eroded kidneys and the bladder, anddissolves the hot desire to sexual union [anaphrodisiac].Taken as a drink the juice has similar effects, and is goodin burning fevers. Boiled very well (it is good) for worms[roundworms in the intestines], the spitting of blood,

272

LACHANA: VEGETABLES

273


Plantago minor

from FUCHS — 1545

274

LACHANA: VEGETABLES

Portulaca oleracea


dysentery, haemorrhoids, as well as eruptions of blood,and bites of the seps [poisonous lizard]. It is effectivemixed with eye medicines, and is a suppository forbowels troubled with excessive discharges, or for adamaged vulva. It provides irrigation [supply ofmoisture] with rosaceum [1-53] or oil for headaches thatcome from heat. With wine it is a cleansing ointment forpustules of the head, and is applied with polenta towounds growing into gangrene.

2-151. ANDRACHNE AGRIA

SUGGESTED: Portulaca sylvestris [Fuchs, Bauhin],Portulaca angustifolia [Bauhin],

Portulaca oleracea var sylvestris [Linnaeus] — Yellow Portulaca

Andrachne sylvestris has broader and thicker littleleaves than the andrachne above. It grows in rocky

places (sometimes also in gardens). It has leaves similar to those of the olive tree but much smaller yet moreabundant and tender. There are many red stalksemerging from one root, leaning earthward. Chewedthey are found to have good juice — sticky, andsomewhat salty. It is warming, sharp, and ulcerating, and applied with goose grease it dissolves scrofulous tumours [glandular swelling, goitres].

It is also called aizoon agrion i.e. sempervivum sylvestre,or telephium, the Latins (call it) illecebra, some, portulaca,the Africans, maemoem, the Dacians, lax, and theEgyptians, mochmutim.

2-152. ASPHARAGOS

SUGGESTED: Asparagus altilis [Brunfels], Asparagus sativa [Bauhin], Asparagus acutifolius,

Asparagus corruda, Asparagus officinalis var altilis [Linnaeus]— Asparagus, Sparrow Grass

Aspharagus is also called myon. It grows in rockyplaces, a well-known herb, the small stalks of which,

boiled and eaten, soothe the intestines and encourageurine [diuretic]. A decoction of the roots (taken as a drink) helps frequent and painful urination, jaundice, kidney

275


Asparagus


ailments and hip problems, as well as those bitten byharvest spiders. Boiled in wine it helps those troubledwith toothache (a decoction being kept on the painedtooth). The seed (taken in a drink) is good to obtain thesame results. They say that if dogs drink a decoction theywill die. Some have related that if one pounds ram’shorns in pieces and buries them, asparagus comes up,which is incredible to me.

Asparagus is a plant with many branches and manylong leaves similar to marathrum [3-81], with a greatround root that has a knob. The stalks pounded into small pieces with white wine lessen disorders of the kidneys.Taken either boiled or roasted it soothes slow painfulurination and dysentery. The root boiled either in wineor vinegar lessens dislocations. Boiled with figs andchickpeas and eaten it cures jaundice, and lessens hippains and painful urination. Displayed [like an amulet](and a decoction taken as a drink) it makes one barrenand not fit for generation [birth control].

2-153. ARNOGLOSSON,ARNOGLOSSON MIKRON

SUGGESTED: Plantago major [Fuchs, Brunfels, Linnaeus],Arnoglossa, Septinervia, Plantago latifolia sinuata [Bauhin]

— Waybread, Greater Plantain

Plantago minor [Fuchs], Plantago media [Brunfels, Linnaeus]Plantago angustifolia major [Bauhin] — Hoary Plantain

Two kinds of arnoglossa are found — one lesser, theother larger. The smaller sort has narrower leaves,

smaller, softer, smoother and thinner; with an angularstalk, bending down (as it were) on the ground. Theflowers are pale, with the seed on the top of the stalks.The bigger kind is more flourishing, broad-leaved, a sortof an olus [one that is well known]. The stalk is angular,somewhat red, a foot in height, closed around from themiddle to the top with thin seed. The roots underneathare tender, rough, white, a finger thick. It grows inmarshes, hedges and moist places. The larger is better foruse. The leaves are drying and astringent. Thereforerubbed on they work against all malignancies, andleprous, running, filthy ulcers. They also stop excessive

276

LACHANA: VEGETABLES

Plantago lanceolata


277


Vicia faba


278

LACHANA: VEGETABLES

Atriplex hortensis

from FUCHS — 1545

discharges of blood, gangrenous ulceration, carbuncles[malignant tumours], shingles [herpes] and epinyctis[pustules which appear only at night]. They form a skinover old irregular ulcers, and heal chironian [cheiralgia —pain in the hand or cuts from a surgeon] and hollowcreeks caused by it. They are good applied with salt fordog bites, burns, inflammation, and parotitis [inflamedglands, mumps], as well as the inflammation of bones,scrofulous tumours [glandular swelling, goitres], andulcers of the eyes. The herb (boiled and taken with waterand salt) helps dysentery and abdominal distress. It isalso given boiled with lentils instead of beets. The herb isalso given (boiled) for the dropsy called leucoplegmatia [atendency to dropsy] caused by eating dry meats,however it must be taken while eating the meats. It is alsogood given to the epileptic and the asthmatic. The juice of the leaves cleans ulcers in the mouth, washed every nowand then with it. With cimolia [like fuller's earth] orcerussa [white lead ore] it heals skin inflammation, andhelps fistulas [ulcers] poured into them. The juice beingdropped in the ears or mixed in eye salves helps earacheand sores on the eyes, and it is good (taken as a drink) forbleeding gums and for those who vomit blood. It is goodfor dysentery given as an enema or suppository. It istaken as a drink against consumption. It is used as apessary in wool for constriction of the womb and for awomb troubled with excessive discharges. The seeds(taken as a drink in wine) stop discharges of the bowelsand the spitting of blood. The root is boiled and themouth is washed with this decoction (or the root ischewed) to lessen toothache. The root and the leaves aregiven in passum [raisin wine] for ulcers in the bladder andkidneys, but some say that three roots (taken as a drinkwith three cupfuls of wine and as much water) help afever with recurrent paroxysms, and that four roots(help) a quartain [with paroxysms every fourth day]fever.

Some also use the root as an amulet for scrofuloustumours [glandular swelling goitres] to dissolve them.(The Syrians say that a broth of this and calamint withhoney will cure the paralysed, given on the second andfourth day until the parascive, (that is the Friday), buttake this as a secret for it is most true and according toexperience).

279


It is also called arnion (as we should say of a lamb),probation (as we should say of a sheep), cynoglosson, (thatis dog’s tongue), heptapleuron, polynervon (that is havingmany tendons). The Magi call it erechneumonis, theEgyptians, aschat, the Latins, plantago minor, the Gaulstarbidolopion, the Spaniards, thesarican, and the Africans,atiercon.

2-154. SION TO EN ODASIN

SUGGESTED: Sium, Anagallis-aquatica [Fuchs],Anagallis aquatica minor [Bauhin], Veronica beccabunga

[Linnaeus] — Brooklime [Mabberley]

[other usage] Sium latifolium — Water Parsley, Water Parsnip Sium falcaria, Sium siculum — Water Parsnip species

Sium aquaticum is a little shrub which is found in thewater — upright, fat, with broad leaves similar to

hipposelinum [3-78], yet somewhat smaller and aromatic— which is eaten (either boiled or raw) to break stones[kidney, bladder] and discharge them. Eaten they alsoinduce the movement of urine, are abortifacient, expelthe menstrual flow, and are good for dysentery.(Crateuas speaks of it thus: it is a herb like a shrub, little,with round leaves, bigger than black mint, similar toeruca [2-170]). It is also called anagallis aquatica, schoenosaromatica, as well as a sort of juncus odoratus, darenion, orlaver.

2-155. SISUMBRION

SUGGESTED: Sisymbrium [Fuchs], Mentha aquatica [Fuchs,Linnaeus] — Water Mint [Mabberley]

[other usage] Sisymbrium officinale, Erysimum officinale

— Hedge Mustard Sisymbrium alliaria, Alliaria officinalis — Sauce-alone,

Garlic Wort

Sisymbrium grows in untilled ground. It is similar togarden mint, yet broader-leaved and with a sweeter

scent, and is used in wreaths for the head. It is warming.The seed (taken in a drink with wine) is good for slowpainful urination and urinary stones, and relieves

280

LACHANA: VEGETABLES

281


Anagallis aquatica

from FUCHS — 1545

282

LACHANA: VEGETABLES

Sisymbrium

from FUCHS — 1545

griping and the hiccups. The leaves are laid on thetemples and the forehead for headaches. They are alsogood for the stings of wasps and bees. Taken as a drink itstops vomiting. It is also called serpillum sylvestre, orveneris corona; the Latins call it austeralis, and others, herbavenerea.

2-156. SISUMBRION ETERON

SUGGESTED: Sisymbrium cardamine, Nasturtium aquaticum[Fuchs], Nasturtium aquaticum supinum [Bauhin],

Sisymbrium nasturtium, Sisymbrium aquaticum, Nasturtium officinale [Brunfels],

Radicula nasturtium-aquaticum, Roripa nasturtium-aquaticum — Water Cress, Water Grass

see 2-170

The other sisymbrium is a watery herb growing in thesame places as sion [2-154]. It is also called cardamine

because it resembles nasturtium [2-185] in the taste. It hasround leaves at first but when grown they are dividedlike those of eruca [2-170]. It is warming and diuretic andis eaten raw. It takes away freckles and sunburn, appliedat night and wiped away in the morning. Some call itcardamine [meadow cress], and some, sion.

2-157. KRITHMON

SUGGESTED: Crithmum maritimum, Cachrys maritimum — Samphire, Sea Fennel, Peter’s Cress

Crithmon (also called critamon) is a shrubby little herbabout a foot in height, with thick leaves, which

grows in rocky maritime places. It is full of fat whitishleaves similar to those of purslane — yet thicker andlonger and salty to the taste. It bears white flowers and asoft fruit similar to libanotis — sweet smelling, round.When dry it splits and has a seed within similar to wheat.The roots are the thickness of a finger, fragrant, and witha pleasant taste. The seed, root and leaves (boiled in wineand taken as a drink) are effective to help frequentpainful urination and jaundice, and they induce themenstrual flow. It is used as a vegetable (eaten eitherboiled or raw), and is also preserved in brine.

283


2-158. KORONOPOUS

SUGGESTED: Coronopus, Cornu cervium [Fuchs],Coronopus hortensis [Bauhin], Plantago coronopis var β[Linnaeus], Coronopus, Cornus cervicum, Herba stella

— Buckshorn Plantain, Star of the Earth

Coronopus is a little herb that is somewhat long, withindented leaves, spread on the ground. It is eaten

(boiled) as a vegetable. It has a thin astringent root that iseaten for coeliac [intestinal complaints]. It grows inuntilled places, on hillocks and by highways. It is alsocalled ammonos, or astrion, the Africans call it atirsipte, theLatins caciatrix, some, stilago, or sanguinaria.

2-159. SONCHOSAKANTHODESTEROS, SONCHOS

TRACHOS, SONCHOS TRUPHEROS

SUGGESTED: Sonchus aspera [Fuchs], Sonchus asper laciniatus, Sonchus asper non laciniatus [Bauhin],

Sonchus oleraceus var asper [Linnaeus] — Common Sowthistle

Sonchus non-aspera [Fuchs], Sonchus laevis laciniatus latifolius[Bauhin], Sonchus oleraceus var laevis [Linnaeus]

— Sowthistle, Milkthistle [Mabberley]

There are two kinds of sonchus — one more wild andprickly, the other more tender and edible. The stalk is

angular and somewhat red within with ragged leaves at a distance all around. They are cooling and moderatelyastringent; as a result they are applied for a burningstomach and inflammation. The juice is sipped to lessenpangs of hunger in the stomach. It draws down milk andis applied on wool to help inflammation of the perineumand womb. The herb and root are applied to help thosetouched by a scorpion. There is also another kind ofsonchus that is also tender, grows like a tree, and is broadleaved, but the leaves divide the stalk. This is effective forthe same purposes. It is also called asperum, or cichorium,the Romans call it cicerbita, and the Africans, gathuonem.

284

LACHANA: VEGETABLES

285


Sonchus aspera

from FUCHS — 1545

286

LACHANA: VEGETABLES

Sonchus non aspera

from FUCHS — 1545

2-160. SERIS

SUGGESTED: Intybum saticvum latifolium [Fuchs, Bauhin],Endiva vulgaris [Bauhin], Cichorium endivia [Linnaeus]

Intybum sativum angustifolium, Scariol [Fuchs] — Endive

Intybum sylvestre, Intubus erraticus, Cichorea [Fuchs],Cichorium sylvestre, Cichorium officinarum [Bauhin]

Cichorium intybus [Linnaeus] — Wild Chicory, Succory

Seris has two types — wild and cultivated, of which the wild is called pickris or cichorum, but the other kind,

that of the garden, is broader-leaved and more pleasantin the mouth. Of the two kinds, one is more similar tolettuce and is broad leaved; the other is narrow-leavedand bitter. Both are astringent, cooling and good for thestomach. Boiled and taken with vinegar they stopdischarges of the bowels, and the wild (especially) arebest for the stomach, for when eaten they comfort adisturbed and burning stomach. Applied with polenta(or by themselves) they are good for heart conditions.They help gout and inflammation of the eyes. The herband root are rubbed on to help those who are touched bya scorpion, and with polenta they heal erysipela[streptococcal skin infection]. The juice from them withcerussa [white lead ore] and vinegar is good rubbed onthose who need cooling. It is also called picris, theEgyptians call it agon, and the Romans, intybus agrestis.

2-161. KONDRILLE, KONDRILLE ETERA

SUGGESTED: Hedypnois, Dens leonis, Taraxacon [Fuchs],Hedypnois maior [Brunfels], Leontodon taraxacum [Linnaeus],

Taraxacum officinale — Dandelion

[other usage] Chondrilla juncea, Chondrilla graminea — Chondrilla, Chondrille, Gum Succory, Wild Succory

Condrilla (also called cichorium or seris), has leaves, astalk and flowers similar to chicory, as a result some

have said that it is a kind of wild seris, but it is altogethermuch smaller. Around the stems a gum is found (aboutthe size of a bean) that is similar to mastic [1-51]. Pounded into small pieces with myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116] and anamount the size of an olive applied in a linen cloth, it

287


Cichorium intybus


dries out the menstrual flow. The herb pounded togetherwith the root and mixed with honey is formed intolozenges, which are diluted and mixed with saltpetre[potassium nitrate] to take away sunburn. The gumpreserves the hair. The root (taken whilst it is new) isgood for the same purposes — a needle being dipped[into the juice of] it and applied to the hair. Taken as adrink with wine it is also good against vipers; and thejuice boiled with wine and taken as a drink (or else takenalone) stops discharges of the bowels. There is alsoanother kind of condrilla with a gnawed-around leaf,somewhat long, scattered on the ground, the stalk full ofjuice; and a slender root — lively, smooth, round, a paleyellow, full of juice. The stalk and the leaves are digestive, and the juice is good for retaining the hair on the eyelids.It grows in fertile and cultivated fields.

2-162. KOLOKUNTHA

SUGGESTED: Citrullus colocynthis, Cucumis colocynthis — Colocynth, Bitter Apple, Bitter Gourd

see 4-178

The edible colocynth (bruised and applied raw) lessensoedema and the suppuration of ulcers. Scrapings of it

are effective applied to the upper part of the heads ofchildren troubled with heat of the head called siriasis[sunstroke]; and it is similarly used for inflammations ofthe eyes and gout. Juice from bruised scrapings isdropped in the ears either by itself or with rosaceum [1-53]to help earache. Rubbed on, it is good for the appearanceof burns from heat. The herb boiled whole and the juiceof it strained out and taken as a drink with a little honeyand nitre [saltpetre] gently loosens the bowels. If youhollow it (raw), put wine in there, set it out in the openair, then afterwards dilute it and drink it fasting, it gentlysoothes the bowels.

288

LACHANA: VEGETABLES

289


Intybum sativum angustifolia

from FUCHS — 1545

290

LACHANA: VEGETABLES

Intybum sativum latifolium

from FUCHS — 1545

2-163. SIKUOS EMEROS

SUGGESTED: Cucumis sativus vulgaris [Fuchs, Bauhin],Cucurbita maior, Cucurbita oblonga [Fuchs],

Cucurbita lagenaria [Linnaeus], Lagenaria vulgaris,Sicyos [Latin], Cucumis sativa — Cucumber

The cultivated cucumer is good for the intestines andthe stomach, cooling (if it is not spoiled), effective for

the bladder. It is smelled to revive those in a swoon, andthe seed is mildly diuretic. With milk or passum [raisinwine] it is good for ulcers of the bladder. The leaves areapplied with wine to heal the bites of dogs; with honeythey heal pustules that appear at night.

2-164. PEPON

SUGGESTED: Pepo, Cucumis pepo [Fuchs], Melo vulgaris [Bauhin], Cucumis melo [Linnaeus], Cantalupo,

Popone [Italian], Cucumis dudaim var aegypticus — Sweet Melon, Dudaim Melon

[other usage] Cucurbita pepo — Pumpkin Melopopone [Italian], Cucurbita pepo var melopepo — Squash

The pulp of pepon is diuretic if eaten, but applied italleviates inflammation of the eyes. The scrapings

are laid on top of the heads of children troubled withsiriasis [sunstroke]; and it is laid as an anacollema [againstthat which is glued together] to the forehead forrheumatic eyes. The juice together with the seed, mixedwith meal and dried in the sun, is a scourer to purge away filth and make the skin on the face clear. A teaspoon ofthe dry root (taken as a drink with honey water) causesvomiting. If anyone wants to vomit gently after suppertwo times ten grains will be sufficient for this. It also healsfavus [contagious skin disease] rubbed on with honey.

291


2-165. THRIDAX EMEROS

SUGGESTED: Lactuca sativa crispa et rotunda [Fuchs], Lactuca crispa [Bauhin], Lactuca sativa [Linnaeus],

Lactuca scariola var sativa — Common Lettuce

Lactuca (the garden lettuce) is good for the stomach, alittle cooling, causes sleep, softens the bowels and

draws down milk. Boiled, it is more nourishing. Eatenunwashed it is good for the stomach. The seeds (taken ina drink) help those who dream continuously, and turnaway sexual intercourse [anaphrodisiac]. Eaten too oftenthey cause of dullness of sight. They are also preserved inbrine. When they shoot up into a stalk they haveproperties similar to the juice and milk of the wild lettuce. The Romans call it lactuca, and the Egyptians, embrosi.

2-166. THRIDAX AGRIA

SUGGESTED: Lactuca sylvestris [Fuchs], Lactuca scariola [Linnaeus], Thridax [Latin], Lactuca virosa

— Wild Lettuce

Wild lettuce is similar to the cultivated only larger-stalked, paler in the leaves, thinner and sharper,

and bitter to the taste. It is somewhat similar to poppy inproperties, as a result some mix the milky juice of it withmeconium [4-65]. Twenty grains of the juice (taken in adrink with posca [hot drinks]) purges away watery matterthrough the bowels. It also wears off albugo [eye disease],and mistiness and dimness of the eyes, and it is goodagainst their burning heat rubbed on with woman’s milk. In general it is sleep-inducing and eases pain. It drawsout the menstrual flow, and is given as a drink for thosetouched by a scorpion or harvest spider. The seed of this(as well as the cultivated, taken in a drink) turns awaylustful dreams and venereal diseases. The juice is alsogood for the same purposes yet weaker. The milky juiceof it is first exposed to the sun (like other extracted juices)and stored in new ceramic jars. The Magi call it sanguisTitani, Zoroastrians, pherumbras, and the Romans, lactucasylvestris.

292

LACHANA: VEGETABLES

Lactuca virosa [seed head]


293


Intybum sylvestre caeruleum

from FUCHS — 1545

294

LACHANA: VEGETABLES

Hedypnois maior

from FUCHS — 1545

2-167. GINGIDION

SUGGESTED: Gingidium, Chaerefolium [Fuchs]Chaerophyllum sativum [Bauhin], Scandix cerefolium [Linnaeus],

Anthriscus cerefolium — Chervil [Mabberley]

Gingidium grows plentifully in Cilicia and Syria — alittle herb similar to wild pastinaca yet thinner, and

with a thicker little root, white and bitter. It is used as avegetable, eaten both raw and boiled. Pickled, it is goodfor the stomach and diuretic. A decoction (taken as adrink with wine) is good for the bladder. The Romans call it bisacutum, the Egyptians, dorysastrum, the Syrians,adorion, the Africans, tiricta, and it is also called lepidium.

2-168. SKANDUX

SUGGESTED: Anthriscus sylvestris, Scandix [Pliny] — Wild Chervil, Cow Parsley, Cow Weed

Scandix is a wild vegetable — somewhat sharp andbitter, edible whether eaten raw or boiled, good for

the intestines and the stomach. A decoction (taken as adrink) is good for the bladder, kidneys, and liver. TheRomans call it herba scanaria, and some, acicula.

2-169. KAUKALIS

SUGGESTED: Caucalis grandiflora, Caucalis pumila, Caucalis platycarpus — Caucalis, Hedge Parsley, Bur Parsley

Caucalis (also called wild daucus) has a little stalk a footin length or more, with leaves similar to marathrum

[3-81], very divided and rough, and on the top of it awhite tuft with a fragrant scent. This is also used as avegetable (eaten either raw or boiled), and is diuretic.

It is also called caucum, or myitis, Democritus calls itbryon, the Romans, pes gallinaceum, some call it pes pulli,and the Egyptians call it seselis.

295


2-170. EUZOMON

SUGGESTED: Eyzumum, Eruca [Pliny], Eruca sativa [Fuchs],Sisymbrium tenuifolium [Linnaeus] — Hedge Mustard

Diplotaxis tenuifolia [in Sprague] — Rocket

Eruca sylvestris, Sinapi primum [Fuchs] — Hedge Mustard — Sinapi, Eruca [Bauhin], Nasturtium sylvestre [Brunfels],

Rorippa sylvestre [in Sprague] — Watercress see 2-156

[other usage] Eruca vesicaria ssp sativa — Rocket Salad Eruca erucacastrum, Erucacastrum obtusangulum,

Brassica erucacastrum — Bastard Rocket, Wild Rocket

Eaten raw in any great amount this encourages thepursuit of sexual pleasure [aphrodisiac], and the seed

has a similar effect — also being diuretic, digestive andgood for the bowels. They use the seed in making saucesso that it may last longer. They steep it first in vinegar ormilk, make it into lozenges, and afterwards place it instorage. Wild ezymum grows as well especially in Iberiatowards the west, the seed of which the men there useinstead of mustard. It is more diuretic and far sharperthan the cultivated. The Romans call it eruca, theEgyptians, ethrekicen, and the Africans, asuric.

2-171. OKIMON

SUGGESTED: Ocimum exiguum, Ocimum minutum, Ocimum mediocre, Ocimum magnum [Fuchs]

Ocimum basilicum, Basilicum — Basil, Sweet Basil

Ocimum is commonly known. Eaten much it dulls the eyesight and softens the bowels, moves flatulence,

is uretic, and helps the flow of milk. It is hard to digest.Applied with flour of polenta, rosaceum [1-53] and vinegar it helps inflammation, and the strikes of poisonous fishesand scorpions. Used alone with Chian [from Scios in theAegean sea] wine (it is good) for sores of the eyes. Thejuice takes away dimness in the eyes, and dries up excessfluids in them. Taken in a drink the seed is good for thosewho breed depression, for frequent painful urination,and flatulence. It causes considerable sneezing whensmelled, and the herb does the same. The eyes must beshut whilst the sneezing lasts. Some avoid it and do not

296

LACHANA: VEGETABLES

297


Gingidium

from FUCHS — 1545

298

LACHANA: VEGETABLES

Eruca sativa

from FUCHS — 1545

eat it, because when it is chewed and set in the sun itbreeds little worms. The Africans have used it becausethose who eat it and are touched by a scorpion remainwithout pain.

2-172. OROBANKE

SUGGESTED: Orobanche major — Greater Broomrape Orobanche minor, Orobanche barbata — Lesser Broomrape

Orobanche ramosa — Branched Broomrape

ALL SLIGHTLY POISONOUS

Orobanche (commonly called lycos — as we shouldsay, a wolf) has a little stalk, somewhat red (as it

were) two feet [high] and sometimes bigger, fattish in theleaves, rough, tender, endowed with whitish flowers, orsomewhat inclining to yellow. The root lies underneath,the thickness of a finger, eaten through with holes whenthe stalk dries. It seems that when it grows among pulse[legumes] it chokes them, from which it has its name. It isused as a vegetable (either raw or boiled) eaten from aplatter like asparagus. Boiled together with legumes it isthought to make them boil sooner. It is also calledcynomorion, or leonem, and the Cyprians call it thyrsine.

2-173. TRAGOPOGON

SUGGESTED: Tragopogon crocifolius — Wild Salsify

Tragopogon porrifolius, Tragopogon pratensis — Salsify,Vegetable Oyster, Oyster Plant, Goat’s Beard

Tragopogon or tetrapogon (also called come) has a shortstalk and leaves similar to saffron. The root is long

and sweet. It has a big cup on the stalk and black fruit inthe top, from which it took its name. It is an edible herb.

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Orobanche ramosa


2-174. ORNITHOGALON

SUGGESTED: Ornithogalum umbellatum, Scilla campestris, Bulbus leucanthemus — Eleven o’ Clock Lady,

Star of Bethlehem

Ornithogalon has a tender stalk — thin, whitish, about two feet high — with three or four tender slips

growing together on the top from which come theflowers, which outwardly seem the colour of herbs butopened they are similar to milk. Between them is a littlehead (cut-in like cachrys [3-88]) that is baked togetherwith bread (like melanthium [3-93]). The root is bulboseand is eaten both raw and boiled [vegetable].

2-175. HUDNON

SUGGESTED: Tuber album, Rhizopogon album, Choiromyces meandriformis — White Truffle, False Truffle

Tuber is a round, pale, yellow root without leaves orstalk. It is dug up in the spring and is edible eaten

either raw or boiled [vegetable].

2-176. SMILAX

SUGGESTED: Smilax-hortensis, Phasiolus [Fuchs],Phaseolus vulgaris [Linnaeus], Phaseolus vulgaris,

Phaseolus coccineus — French Beans, Kidney Beans,Scarlet Runner Beans, Haricot Beans

[other usage] Myrsiphyllum asparagoides — Smilax, Climbing Asparagus

see 2-130

Garden smilax whose fruit lobia (pods) is calledasparagus by some, has leaves like ivy only softer,

with thin stalks and tendrils wrapped around theneighbouring shrubs. These grow so much that they aremade into bowers. It bears fruit similar to fenugreek butlonger and more widely known, with seeds withinsimilar to kidneys, not the same colour but partlysomewhat reddish. The fruit (pod) is eaten with the seeds as a vegetable, boiled like asparagus. It encourages urineand causes troublesome dreams.

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LACHANA: VEGETABLES

301


Eruca sylvestris

from FUCHS — 1545

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LACHANA: VEGETABLES

Smilax hortensis

from FUCHS — 1545

2-177. MEDICE

SUGGESTED: Medicago sativa — Lucerne, Alfalfa, Common Medick

Medica recently sprung-up is similar to meadowtrifolium [clover] but when more grown it becomes

narrower-leaved, sending out stalks similar to trifoliumwith seeds the size of a lentil, twisted around like a littlehorn. This is dried and mixed (because of its sweetsavour) in salt sauces. Applied whilst green it is good forwhatever has need of cooling. Those who breed beastsuse the whole herb instead of grass [fodder].

2-178. APHAKE

SUGGESTED: Aphace, Sylvestris vitia, Os mundi [Fuchs], Vicia sepium [Bauhin, Linnaeus] — Bush Vetch [Mabberley]

[other usage] Lathyrus aphaca, Aphaca vulgaris, Lathyrus segetum — Yellow Vetchling

Aphaca is a small-leaved little shrub that grows in thefields, higher than lentils. The pods that are found

thickly on it are bigger than lentil pods. They containthree or four little seeds smaller than lentils. These littleseeds are astringent, as a result they stop both excessivedischarge of the bowels and the stomach. They are[eaten] as the lentil is, fried or bruised and boiled[vegetable].

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Orobanche ramosa


HERBS WITH A SHARPQUALITY

2-179. PRASON

SUGGESTED: Porrum capitatum [Fuchs], Allium porrum, Porrum sectivum, Allium schoenoprasum [Linnaeus],

Porrum commune, Allium ameloprasum var porrum — Leek

The headed prasum (which the Latins call porrum) isinflative, has bad juice, causes troublesome dreams,

is uretic and good for the stomach, reduces the intensityof symptoms, causes dullness of sight, expels themenstrual flow, and hurts ulcerated bladders andkidneys. Boiled with barley water (or otherwise eaten) itbrings out things that close up the chest. The bladesboiled in sea water and vinegar are excellent in a bath forsuffocation and hardness of the womb. It grows sweetand becomes less flatulent if it is boiled in two [separate]waters and steeped in [fresh] cold water. The seed issharper and somewhat astringent. As a result, the juicemixed with vinegar and manna [exudation of certaintrees] or frankincense, stops the blood (especially thatwhich comes from the nostrils), discourages venerealdiseases, and is good used as linctus [syrup] with honeyfor all disorders in the chest. Eaten (it is good) againstconsumption [wasting disease]. It cleans the breathcanals [lungs]. Eaten frequently it dulls the sight and isworthless for the stomach. Taken as a drink with honeyand water the juice is a remedy for those bitten byvenomous creatures, and the prasum itself also does goodif applied. The juice dropped in the ears with vinegar,frankincense, and milk or rosaceum [1-53] helps earacheand noises in the ears. The leaves applied with rhoe [4-64]obsoniorum [any food which is not bread] take away varos[papules of smallpox], and heals pustules which appearat night. Applied with salt it removes the edges on thecrusts of ulcers. Two teaspoonfuls of the seeds (taken in adrink with the same amount of myrtle berries) stop thethrowing-up of old blood.

304

HERBS WITH A SHARP QUALITY

Leek — Alliumameloprasum var porrum


305


Aphace

from FUCHS — 1545

306


Erucaria cakiloides

from ENGLER-PRANTL— 1897

2-180. AMELOPRASON

SUGGESTED: Allium ameloprasum var ameloprasum — Wild Leek, Blue Leek, Vine Leek, Great-headed Garlic,

Levant Garlic

Ampeloprasum is worse for the stomach than leeks butis warmer and more uretic, expelling the menstrual

flow. It is good if those bitten by poisonous beasts eat it.

2-181. KROMUON

SUGGESTED: Askolonion krommoon [Theophrastus], Cepa ascolonia [Pliny], Cepa [Fuchs], Cepa vulgaris [Bauhin],

Allium cepa [Linnaeus], Porrum cepa — Onion

Allium ascalonium, Porrum ascalonium — Shallot, Scallion,Ascalonian Garlic

The long onion is sharper than the round, the redmore than the white, the dry more than the green,

the raw more than the roasted or that kept in salt. All ofthem have a biting quality and are inflative, invitingappetite. They reduce the intensity of symptoms, causethirst, cause nauseousness and purging, are good for thebowels, open the passages for excrement, and are goodfor haemorrhoids. First peeled and put into oil, they aregiven as a suppository. The juice rubbed on with honeyhelps dull sight, argema [small white ulcer on the cornea],small clouds in the eye, and those who are beginning tobe troubled with liquids in the eyes, as well as angina[heart pains]. It both induces and expels the menstrualflow, and inhaled it purges the head by the nostrils. It is apoultice with salt, rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98] and honey forthose bitten by dogs. Thoroughly rubbed on in the sunwith vinegar it cures vitiligines [form of leprosy], and with an equal amount of spodium [calcined powder] it lessensscabby inflammations of the eyes. With salt it repressesvaros [smallpox pustules]. With poultry grease it is goodfor shoe-chafing, excessive discharges of the intestines,hardness of hearing, noise in the ears, and purulent ears.It is also good for dripping water in the ears, and the lossof hair (rubbed on) as it brings out the hair sooner thanalcyonium [5-136]. Onion (much eaten) causes headaches,but boiled it becomes more diuretic. If much is eaten in

307


times of sickness it makes men lethargic. Boiled andapplied as a plaster with raisins of the sun or figs it ripensand breaks swelling sores. It is also called polyides, theMagi call it calabotis, and the Latins, caepa.

2-182. SKORODON,LEUKOSKORODON,OPHIOSKORODON,

ELAPHOSKORODON

SUGGESTED: Allium hortense, Allium sylvestre, Allium ursinum [Fuchs, Linnaeus], Allium sativum,

Allium vineale, Allium oleraceum, Porrum sativum — Garlic

Some garlic is cultivated and grows in gardens, andthat in Egypt has only one head like the leek — sweet,

inclining to a purple colour. Elsewhere it is compacted ofmany white cloves that the Greeks call aglithai. There isanother wild kind called ophioscorodon (that is, serpent’sgarlic). It has a sharp, warming, biting quality. It expelsflatulence, disturbs the belly, dries the stomach, causesthirst and puffing up, breeds boils on the outside of thebody, and dulls vision. Ophioscorodon does the samethings when eaten, as well as elaphoscorodon (as we should say, hart’s garlic). Eaten, it draws out broadworms anddraws away urine. It is good like nothing else for thosebitten by vipers or with haemorrhous [women’s excessiveloss of blood] (with wine taken shortly afterwards), orelse pounded into small pieces in wine and taken as adrink. It is applied as a poultice that is effective for thesame purposes, as well as applied to anyone bitten by amad dog. Eaten, it is good against change of waters (toclear the throat, and the same way to relieve roughness of the throat). It clears the arteries, and eaten either raw orboiled lessens old coughs. Taken as a drink with adecoction of origanum it kills lice and nits. Burnt andmixed with honey it cures bruised eyes. It is rubbed on for loss of hair but for this it must be used with ointment ofnard [1-6, 1-7, 1-8, 1-10]. With salt and oil it heals eruptedpimples. With honey it takes away vitiligines [form ofleprosy], lichenes [skin disease], freckles, running ulcerson the head, dandruff, and psoriasis. Boiled with taeda[pitch pine] and frankincense and kept in the mouth itlessens toothache. It is a poultice with fig leaves and

308


309


Anthriscus sylvestris


310


Cucurbita pepo


cumin for those bitten by the mygale [shrew mouse]. Adecoction of the leaves is a hip bath to bring down themenstrual flow and afterbirth. It is also inhaled as smokefor the same purpose. The stamping that is made of itwith black olives called myrton [garlic and olives] inducesthe movement of urine, opens the mouths of veins, and is good for dropsy. It is also called geboscum, some call itelaphoboscum, and the Latins, allium.

2-183. SKORODOPRASON

SUGGESTED: Allium scorodoprasum — Spanish Garlic, Spanish Shallot

Scordoprasum grows to the size of a leek, sharing thequalities of both garlic and leek (from which it has a

mixed kind of strength), performing things that the garlic and the leek do, but with fewer efficacies. It is used as avegetable, eaten boiled like leek and thus made tobecome sweet.

2-184. SINEPI

SUGGESTED: Napy, Sinapis primum genus [Fuchs], Sinapi hortense [Brunfels], Sinapis alba [Linnaeus],

Leucosinapis officinalis, Brassica alba — White Mustard,Salad Mustard, Cultivated Mustard

Choose sinepi that is not very dry, red or full; butwhich if broken looks green within, and as it were

juicy and bluish grey. This sort is new and in its prime. Itis able to warm, thin, and to draw, and is chewed to purge phlegm from the head. The juice (mixed with honeywater and gargled) is good for hard swollen tonsils, andfor old, hard, rough skin of the arteries. Pounded intosmall pieces and put into the nostrils it causes snivelling,helps the epileptic, and revives those troubled withconstriction of the vulva. It is rubbed on the lethargic(their head being first shaved). Mixed with figs andapplied to the place until it becomes red it is good forsciatica [pains in the hips]. It is used to draw out anythingfrom deep within to the outside of the body (to cure it) bydiverting the suffering some other way. Rubbed on withhoney, fat or wax ointment it cures loss of hair, cleans the

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face, and takes away bruises from the eyes. It is rubbedabout with vinegar for leprosy and wild impetigo [skininfection]. It is taken in a drink against the circuits offevers, being sprinkled on the drink dry (the same aspolenta). It is effective mixed with drawing plasters suchas those made for scabies [itchy parasitical disease]. It isgood pounded with figs and applied for hardness ofhearing and noise in the ears. The juice rubbed on withhoney is good for dullness of sight and rough skin of thejowls. The juice is pressed out of it whilst the seed is green and dried in the sun. It is also called napy, and theRomans call it sinapi.

2-185. KARDAMON

SUGGESTED: Nasturtium hortense, Nasturtium sativum,Cressio hortensis [Fuchs, Brunfels], Cardamum,

Nasturtium hortense vulgatum [Bauhin], Lepidium sativum[Linnaeus], Lepidium oleraceum — Common Garden Cress,

Tongue Grass

The best cress seems to be from Babylon. The seed ofany sort of cress is warming, sharp, bad for the

stomach, troubles the intestines, expels worms, lessensthe spleen, is an abortifacient, moves the menstrual flow,and incites to copulation [aphrodisiac]. It has a similarnature to mustard seed and rocket seed. It cleans awaypsoriasis and impetigo [skin infection]. It keeps the spleenlow, rubbed on with honey. It takes away smallpoxpustules, and boiled in sipping drinks brings up thingssticking in the chest. Taken as a drink it is an antidoteagainst the poison of snakes, and it drives away snakeswith inhalation of the smoke from it. It prevents fallinghair. It brings carbuncles [infected boils] to suppurationbreaking them all around. It is good for sciatica rubbed on with vinegar and polenta. It dissolves oedema andinflammation, and rubbed on with brine brings boils orinflammatory tumours to suppuration. The herb does the same things as the seed yet it is somewhat less effective. It is also called cynocardamom, iberis, cardamina, orcardamantica; the Egyptians call it semeth, and the Latins,nasturtium.

312


313


Lepidium perfoliatum


314


Sedum telephium


2-186. THLASPI

SUGGESTED: Thlaspi latifolium [Fuchs],Thlaspi campestre[Linnaeus], Lepidium campestre [Brunfels] — Field Cress,

Wild Bastard Cress, Pepperwort

[other usage] Thlaspi arvense — Penny Cress, Mithridate Mustard, Wild Cress

Thlaspi alliaceum — Garlic-scented Shepherd’s Purse

Thlaspi is a little herb, narrow in the leaves, the heightof about a finger, bending to the ground, divided at

the top, somewhat fat. It sends out a little stalk two feet inheight with a few little branches. Around the whole of itthere is fruit from the top, somewhat broad, in which alittle seed is enclosed similar to nasturtium [2-185], shaped like a dish as it were, broken or bruised, from which ittook its name. The flowers are somewhat white, and itgrows in paths, on walls, and in hedges. The seed is sharp and warming. An acetabulum [vinegar cruet measure](taken in a drink) purges bile upward and downward. Itis made into a sup pository for sciatica. Taken in adrink it brings out blood and breaks internal abscesses. Itinduces the menstrual flow and is an abortifacient.Crateuas mentions another kind of thlaspi called Persicumsinapi, broad-leaved and big-rooted, and this is alsomixed in suppositories for sciatica. It is also calledthlaspidium, sinapim, sinapi sylvestre, myiten, myopteron,dasmophon, or bitrum; the Egyptians call it suitempsum, theRomans, scandulaceum, and it is also called capsella, or pesgallinaceum.

2-187. DRABA

SUGGESTED: Draba verna [Linnaeus], Europhila vulgaris — Common Europhila

Draba olympica, Draba arabis, Draba nemoralis — Witlow Grass

Draba, a herb of about a foot high, has slender sprigswith leaves on both sides like lepidium, yet more

tender and paler, and a tuft on the top with white flowers similar to elder. This herb is boiled with barley water(especially in Cappadocia) and the dry seed is mixed with sauces instead of pepper.

315


2-188. ERUSIMON

SUGGESTED: Irion, Sinapis sylvestris, Rapistrum [Fuchs],Rapistrum flore luteo [Bauhin], Sinapis arvensis [Linnaeus],

Sisymbrium officinale, Erysimum officinale — Hedge Mustard,Singer’s Plant

[other usage] Erysimum alliaria, Alliaria officinalis — Blistercress, Garlicwort

Erysimum barbarea, Erysimum cheiranthoides — Treacle Mustard, Treacle Wormseed

Erysimum grows about towns, the yards of houses andgardens. It has leaves like eruca sylvestris [2-170]. It

has a little stalk, pliable and flexible like a rein, andflowers of a yellowish colour. On the top are little podslike horns (as slender as those of fenugreek) in which arelittle seeds like those of nasturtium [2-185], burningaccording to the taste. Licked in with honey they aregood for excessive discharges of the chest, spitting-up ofrotten stuff, coughs, jaundice and sciatica [pains in hips;sciatic nerves]. It is taken in a drink against deadlymedicinal drinks [antidote]. Rubbed on with water orhoney it is good for hidden diseases of the cornea, hardlumps, glandular tumours, inflammation from stones[urinary, kidney], and inflammation of the breasts. Ingeneral it thins and warms but it is made milder forsyrups — first steeped in water and dried or bound into alinen cloth, wrapped around with kneaded flour, androasted. (Erysimum, pounded into small pieces withwine, should be taken as a drink for pains in theintestines; and if you put seven grains into a house, thereshall be arguing). It is also called chamaeplion, the Magi call it Herculis psoriasista, the Egyptians, erethmu, and theRomans call it irio.

2-189. PIPER

SUGGESTED: Piper longum, Piper aromaticum, Piper chaba, Chaba officinarum, Chaba roxberghii — Long Pepper

Piper nigrum — Black Pepper

Pepper is said to be a short tree that growing in Indiawhich sends out a fruit — at first long, similar to pods

— which is the long pepper. It has something within it

316


317


Irion

from FUCHS — 1545

318


Piper nigrum


similar to millet, will be perfect pepper. At its time ofopening itself it sends out clusters bearing grains such aswe know (some of which are unripe) which are the whitepepper — especially suitable for eye medicines,antidotes, and for the bites of poisonous snakes. The longpepper is endowed with an extraordinarily bitingquality, is somewhat bitter because of being unripe, andis suitable for antidotes and the bites of poisonous snakes. The black is sweeter and sharper than the white, morepleasant to the mouth, more aromatic because it is ripe,and fitter to be used in sauces; but the white and unripe is weaker. Choose that which is heaviest and full, black, nottoo wrinkled, new and not branny. Some is found amongthe black — without nourishment, lank and light —which is called brasma. All pepper in general is warming,urinary, digestive, attracting and dissolving, and cleansaway things that darken the pupils. It is good (eithertaken in a drink or rubbed on) for periodical chills (offevers), it helps those bitten by poisonous beasts, and it isan abortifacient. Applied as a pessary it seems to hinderconception after sexual intercourse [birth control]. It isgood (taken either in syrups or liquid medicines) forsuffering about the chest and for coughs. It is goodrubbed on with honey for tonsillitis, and dissolvesgriping taken as a drink with tender leaves of laurel.Chewed with adenoid passae [lozenges] it draws mucusout of the head. Mixed in sauces it eases pain, is healing,and encourages appetite. Taken with pitch it dissolvesscrofulous tumours [glandular swelling], and with nitre[saltpetre] it cleans away vitiligines [type of leprosy]. It isroasted in a new ceramic jar over coals — being shakenabout similar to lens [lentils]. The root of it is not ginger (as some have supposed) as we will show a little later. Yet the root of pepper is similar to costus [1-15] — warming thetaste and causing spittle. Rubbed on with vinegar ithumbles the spleen, and chewed with stavesacre [4-156]it extracts mucus.

2-190. ZINGIBERI

SUGGESTED: Zingiber officinale — Ginger

Ginger is a private plant growing plentifully inprimitive Arabia. The green herb is used for many

319


purposes (as we use rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98], boiling andmixing it in oil) for drinking, and with boiled meats. It has small little roots like those of cyprus [1-124], whitish,resembling pepper in taste, and with a sweet smell.Choose those that are least rotten. Some (because ofrotting soon) are preserved and carried into Italy inceramic jars and are fit for [use with] meat, but they areused together with their pickle. They are warming anddigestive, soften the intestines gently, and are good forthe stomach. Ginger root is effective against things thatdarken the pupils [eyes]. It is also mixed with antidotes,and in a general way it resembles pepper in its strength.

2-191. UDROPEPERI

SUGGESTED: Hydropiper [Fuchs], Persicaria urens, Persica hydropiper [Bauhin], Polygonum hydropiper [Linnaeus]

— Water Pepper

SLIGHTLY POISONOUS

Hydropiper grows chiefly near standing waters orthose flowing gently. It sends out a stalk that is

knotty and strong, around which are hollows withwings; and leaves similar to mint, but bigger, moredelicate and whiter, sharp in taste, similar to pepper butwithout any sweet smell. It has a fruit growing on thelittle branches near the leaves, hanging close together like clusters of grapes, and it is also sharp. The leaves appliedwith the seeds are able to dissolve oedema and old hardlumps, and take away bruises. Dried and pounded, theyare mixed with salt and sauces instead of pepper. It has alittle root that is of no use.

2-192. PTARMIKE

SUGGESTED: Ptarmice, Pyrethrum sylvestre [Fuchs], Dracunculis pratensis serrato folio [Bauhin], Achillea ptarmica,

Achillea macrocephala, Ptarmika vulgaris — Sneezewort, Bastard Pellitory

Ptarmica is a little shrub with many small roundbranches similar to southernwood, around which are

many leaves — somewhat long, similar to those of theolive tree. On the top is a little head like anthemis arvensis

320


321


Zingiber officinalis


322


Capparis spinosa


[3-156], small, round, sharp according to the smell,causing sneezing, from which it is named. The leavessmeared on (with the flowers) are able to take awaybruises below the eyes. The flowers induce sneezingmost effectively. It grows in mountainous and rockyplaces.

2-193. STROUTHION

SUGGESTED: Struthium, Saponaria [Fuchs], Saponaria major laevis [Bauhin], Saponaria officinalis [Linnaeus]

— Soapwort, Bouncing Bet, Fuller's Herb [Mabberley]

Struthium (which fullers use for cleaning their wool) iscommonly known. The root is sharp and uretic. A

spoonful of it (taken with honey) helps those with liverdisorders, coughs, and asthma; and it draws off bowels.Taken with panaces [3-55, 3-56, 3-57] and root of capparis[2-204] it breaks stones [kidney] and voids them by urine,and melts a hardened spleen; and (placed below) itdraws down the menstrual flow, and is an abortifacient.Smeared on with polenta and vinegar it takes awayleprosy. Boiled with barley meal and wine it dissolves theinflammation of bones. It is mixed with eye salves madefor sharpening the sight, and with soothing medicines. Itinduces sneezing. Pounded into small pieces and put upinto the nostrils with honey it purges through the mouth. It is also called cerdon, catharsis, struthiocamelus, orchamaerrhytos; the Magi call it chalyriton, the Latins, radix,or herba lanaria, the Egyptians, oeno, and the Africans call it syris.

2-194. KUKLAMINOS

SUGGESTED: Cyclamen cyclaminus, Cyclamen europaem[Linnaeus], Cyclamen littorale, Cyclamen officinale

— Cyclamen, Sow Bread, Bleeding Nun Cyclamen graecum — Greek Cyclamen

Cyclaminus has leaves like cissus, a purple colour,varied, with whitish spots beneath and above; a

stalk of four fingers high, bare and naked, on which areflowers similar to roses, tending to a purple colour; theroot black, very similar to rape [coleseed] root and

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somewhat broader. Taken as a drink with honey water itdrives phlegm and water [fluids] downwards. It inducesthe menstrual flow either taken in a drink or placedbelow. They say that if a woman great with child walksover the root that she aborts, and that tied around her ithastens the birth. It is taken as a drink with wine againstdeadly poisons, especially against the sea hare. Applied,it is a remedy against the bites of snakes, and mixed withwine it causes drunkenness. Three teaspoonfuls (taken in a drink with passum [raisin wine] or honey diluted inwater) drives away yellow jaundice, but whoever drinksit must lie down on his bed in a warm house not open tothe wind, and be covered with many cloths so that hemay sweat (more easily). The sweat that comes out isfound to be a bile colour. Juice from cyclaminus is put intothe nostrils with honey to purge the head. It is inserted on wool into the perineum to bring down excrement fromthe bowels. Rubbed on the navel and the lower part ofthe bowels and the hips it softens the bowels, andproduces abortions. The juice rubbed on with honey isgood for bathing the eyes and moisture of the eyes. It isalso mixed with medicines that cause abortion. The juicerubbed on with vinegar restores a fallen perineum. Thepounded root is juiced and squeezed out, the juice thenboiled to the consistency of honey. The root with vinegar(either alone or with honey) cleans the skin, stopspustules from breaking out and cures wounds. Applied,it softens the spleen (and reduces it). It takes awaysunburn, and [repairs] the loss of hair. A decoctionapplied with hot cloths is suitable for dislocations, gout,little ulcers on the head and chilblains. Boiled in old oiland the oil smeared on, it brings wounds to a scar. Theroot is made hollow, filled with oil, and set over warmashes (and sometimes a little Tyrrhenian [Etruscan] waxis added so that it is gluey). This is an excellent ointmentfor those troubled with chilblains. The root is kept instorage, cut in pieces like squill. It is said that it ispounded and made into lozenges and taken withcatapotia [pills]. It grows in shady places, especially undertrees. It is also called cissanthemon, cissophylon, chelonion,ichthyotheron, chuline, zoroastris, or trimphalites; Osthenescalls it aspho, the Magi, miaspho, the Egyptians, theske, theRomans, rapum terrae, umbilicus terrae, or orbicularis, andit is also called arcar.

324


325


Cyclaminus rotundus

from FUCHS — 1545

326


Struthium sativum

from FUCHS — 1545

2-195. KUKLAMINOS ETERA

SUGGESTED: Cyclamen psuedo-graecum

The other cyclamen (also called cissanthemon orcissophylon) has leaves similar to cissus but smaller;

thick, knotty stalks rolling around the trees that grownext to them, similar to the tendrils of vines. The flowersare white and fragrant, and the fruit is bunches of berries similar to cissus, soft, single, sharp to the taste andviscous. The root is useless. It grows in rough places. Oneteaspoon of the fruit (taken in a drink with two cups ofwhite wine [daily] for forty days) melts the spleen, andbrings down the intestines by urine. It is taken in a drinkfor asthma. Taken in a drink it purges away the residue[placenta] after childbearing.

2-196a. DRAKONTION MECA

SUGGESTED: Dracunculus [Fuchs], Dracunculus polyphyllus,Arum dracunculus [Linnaeus], Dracunculis vulgaris [in

Sprague], Arum dracunculus, Dracunculus vulgaris, Dracontia radix — Dragonwort, Common Dragon,

Dragon Arum, Snake Plant, Lords and Ladies

Dracontium maius grows in shady places aroundhedges. It has a smooth upright stalk about two feet

in height and the thickness of a staff around, over-coloured according to the time, so that it resembles adragon, and it abounds in purple spots. It has leaves likelapathum [2-140] folded within one another. It bringsforth a fruit on the top of the stalk in clusters — at first anash colour, but when ripe inclining to a saffron andpurple colour. It has a very great root, round, white, witha thin bark. It is gathered and juiced when thoroughlyripe, and dried in the shade. The root is dug up duringharvest, washed, cut in small pieces, thrust through witha thong and dried in the shade. It is warming, taken in adrink with diluted wine. Boiled or roasted it is good(taken as a linctus [syrup] with honey) for orthopnoea[form of asthma], hernia, convulsions, coughs, anddripping fluids. Taken in a drink with wine it stirs up thevehement desire to sexual intercourse [aphrodisiac].Pounded into small pieces with honey and applied, it

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takes away the malignancy of ulcers and eating ulcers(especially with the white vine [bryony]). Suppositoriesare formed from it with honey for fistulas, and for use asan abortifacient. It is good for vitiligines [form of leprosy]smeared on with honey. It takes away polyps anddiseases of the cornea. The juice is good for eyemedicines, small clouds in the eye, white spots on thecornea, and mistiness in the eyes. The smell of the root orherb is destructive of recent conceptions [abortifacient],as are thirty grains of the seed (taken in a drink with posca[hot drinks]). Some pour the juice of this (with oil) intothe ears of those with earache, and apply the leaves as anastringent on new wounds, as well as boiled in wine tothose with chilblains. They say that a viper shall not bitethose who rub the leaves in their hands or carry the dugup root about them. It is also called aron, isaron, iaron,hieracicus, biaron, aron agreste, or cyperis; the Romans call itcolubrina, some, mauriaria, and others call it sigingialios.

2-196b. DRAKONTION MIKRON

SUGGESTED: Hydropiper rubeum, Dracontion micron,Dracunculus minor [Fuchs], Dracunculus Plinii,

Dracunculus palustris [Bauhin], Calla palustris [Linnaeus] — Water Arum

SEEDS POISONOUS

Dracontium or dracunculus has large leaves similar tocissus with white spots and an upright stalk forty

inches high, over-coloured, like the shape of a snake,spotted with purple spots, and the thickness of a stalk.The fruit on the top is similar to clusters of grapes, thecolour at first indeed similar to grass but when ripesimilar to saffron, biting to the taste. The root is roundand bulbous, similar to aron [2-197], with a thin bark. Itgrows in shady places around hedges and mounds. Thejuice of the seed (pressed out and put with oil into theear) stops earaches. Put into the nostrils with wool itdestroys polyps. Rubbed on, it stops diseases of thecornea [eyes]. As much as thirty grains (taken as a drinkwith posca [hot drinks]) cause abortion. They say that thesmell of it after the flowers have withered destroys newly conceived embryos [abortifacient]. The root has awarming quality and helps asthma, hernias, convulsions,

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329


Cucumis melo


330


Dracunculus maior

from FUCHS — 1545

coughs, and dripping fluids. It makes the moisturesticking in the chest easily expectorated given eitherboiled or roasted with honey, or else eaten alone. Driedand pounded fine it is taken in syrup with honey. It isdiuretic and (taken in a drink of wine) stirs up affectionsto sexual intercourse [aphrodisiac]. Pounded fine withwhite bryony and honey it cleans malignant andspreading ulcers and brings them to a scar. Salves aremade from it for fistulas, and for bringing out the embryo[abortifacient]. They say that if any one rubs his handswith the root he remains unbitten by a viper. It cleansaway vitiligines [form of leprosy] rubbed on with vinegar.The leaves pounded into small pieces are effectivelyapplied to one newly wounded instead of flax seed. Forchilblains it is boiled in wine and applied. Wrapped in the leaves, cheese is kept from putrefying. The juice of theroot is good for small clouds in the eye, white spots on the cornea, and dim vision. The root is used for health (eateneither boiled or raw). Those who live in the GymnesianIsles called Baleares mix the boiled root with a lot ofhoney and place it in their banquets instead of placentae[cakes]. The roots must be put in jars by those who dug itup during the harvest, having first washed them, cutthem in small pieces, made a thread go through them and dried them in the shade.

2-197. ARON

SUGGESTED: Arum vulgare non maculatum [Brunfels]Arum colocasia, Arum esculenta, Colocasia antiquorum,

Colocasia esculenta, Caladium nymphaefolium — Egyptian Arum, Colocasia, Eatable Arum, Taro

Arum maculatum [Linnaeus] — Sago

Aron sends out leaves similar to those of dracontium,yet smaller and less spotted; a faint purple stalk

twenty centimetres long in the shape of a pestle, in which is fruit inclining to a saffron colour. The root — white likethat of dracontium — is also [a vegetable] eaten boiled,and is somewhat less sharp. The leaves are preserved insalt for eating. Dried, they are boiled and eaten bythemselves. The roots, seeds and leaves have the samestrength as dracontium. Particularly the root, applied withbullock's dung to those troubled with gout, does them

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good. The root is stored in the same way as the root ofdracunculum. In brief it is edible because it is notoversharp. It is also called lupha; among the Syrians it iscalled alimon, some call it thymon, some, dracontium, andthe Cyprians call it colocassion.

2-198. ARISARON

SUGGESTED: Arum arisarum, Arisarum vulgare — Aris, Friar’s Cowl

Arisarum is a small little herb with a root the size of anolive tree’s, but it is sharper than aron [arum]. As a

result (rubbed on) it prevents gangrenous ulceration ofthe cheeks. Salves are made from it that are effective forfistulas, but either put in or applied it destroys thegenitals of any living creature.

2-199. ASPHODELOS

SUGGESTED: Asphodelus foemina [Fuchs], Lilium purpureum[Brunfels], Lilium martagone [Linnaeus], Asphodelus albus,

Asphodelus ramosus — Asphodel, King’s Rod

Asphodelus is a plant (known to most) with leavessimilar to the great leek and a smooth stalk. On the

top is a flower called anthericon. The roots are underneath — somewhat long, round, similar to suppositories, sharpto the taste, and warming in strength. A teaspoonful ofthese (taken in a drink of wine) induces the movement ofurine and the menstrual flow. They also cure pains of theside, coughs, convulsions and hernia. It causes easyvomiting if as much as a knucklebone is eaten with meat.As much as three teaspoonfuls given to those bitten bysnakes is effective; and you must apply a poultice madeof the leaves, root and flowers with wine to bites. Thesediment of wine boiled together with the root curesfilthy feeding ulcers, inflammation of the breasts, stones[kidney, urinary], tubercula [nodules], and boils orinflammatory tumours, but for new inflammation [it is tobe applied] with polenta. The juice of the root with oldsweet wine, myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116] and saffron, (boiledtogether) is an excellent medicine to rub on the eyes.Either alone or warmed together with frankincense,

332


Asphodel Asphodelus luteus


333


Scilla non scripta


334


Dracunculus Plinij tertius

from FUCHS — 1545

honey, wine and myrrh it is good to put into purulentears. The juice (alone) poured into the opposing ear,lessens toothache. The burnt ashes of the root are rubbedon to thicken thinned hair. The oil (boiled in thehollowed roots over a fire) is rubbed on ulceratedchilblains and burns; and poured into the ear it helpsearache. The root is smeared on to take away vitiligo alba[type of leprosy] that is first rubbed with a napkin in thesun. The seed and flowers (taken in a drink of wine) arean extraordinary remedy against the strikes ofmillipedes, centipedes and scorpions. However theypurge the intestines excessively. It bears flowers at thetime of harvest but white asphodelus must be cut downaround the vernal equinox before the seed increases.They say that the root (taken in a drink) makes men haveno appetite for pursuit of sexual pleasure[anaphrodisiac]. And Crateuas the herbalist says thesame and that one teaspoonful of the root (taken as adrink with wine) cures the pains of gout. It is also calledanthericum, and the Romans call it albucium.

2-200. BOLBOS EDODIMOS

SUGGESTED: Bulbus sylvestris [Fuchs], Ornithogalum luteum[Bauhin, Linnaeus], Gagea lutea [in Sprague]

— Yellow Star of Bethlehem

The edible red bulbus that is brought from Africa is well known to all; good for the stomach and bowels. That

which is bitter and similar to the squill is better for thestomach and helps digestion. All are sharp and warming,provoke sexual intercourse [aphrodisiac], and are harshto the tongue and tonsils. They are very nourishing andreplenish flesh but they breed wind. Rubbed on they aregood for dislocations, bruises, splinters, sore joints,gangrene, and gout (applied either with honey or bythemselves). They are good for oedema from dropsy, andthe bites of dogs (applied similarly with honey, andpepper pounded into small pieces). They repress sweatsand alleviate pains in the stomach. Roasted with saltpetre [potassium nitrate] they clean away dandruff andrunning sores on the head. They clean bruises below theeyes applied either alone or with the yolk of an egg, andwith honey or vinegar [they also remove] varos [smallpox

335


pustules], as well as freckles. With polenta they are goodfor broken places of the ears, and for bruise ointments.They take away piles [haemorrhoids] roasted in hotembers and applied with the burnt heads of fish calledmaenae. Burnt and mixed with alcyonium [5-136] andrubbed on in the sun they take away sunburn and blackscars. Boiled and eaten with vinegar they are good forhernias. Care must be taken of feeding too much on thembecause they hurt the sinews. Boiled with polenta andapplied with swines’ grease it quickly brings oedema andtubercles [growths] to suppuration and breaks them.

2-201. BOLBOS EMETIKOS

SUGGESTED: Scilla amoena — Nodding Squill Ornithogalum arabicum — Great-flowered Star of Bethlehem

Bulbus vomitorius has more flexible leaves — similar toa bridle and far bigger than the edible; and a root

with a black bark similar to the bulbus [above]. The rooteaten alone (as well as a decoction of it taken as a drink)cures disorders of the bladder and encourages vomiting.

2-202. SKILLA

SUGGESTED: Scilla maritima [Linnaeus]Ornithogalum maritima, Urginea scilla, Urginea maritima

— Medicinal Squill, Sea Onion, Squill

VERY POISONOUS

Scilla is sharp and burning but it is roasted and madeuseful for man’s purposes. It is wrapped in dough or

clay and put into an oven or hidden under hot coals untilthe dough that enfolds it is sufficiently baked. Whentaken off (if the squill within it is not tender) we shall bake it again, placing other dough or clay around it — for thatwhich is not thus roasted is hurtful if given, especially if itis (taken inwardly) carried to the bowels. It is likewisebaked in a tightly-corked ceramic jar and put into anoven, and of that the very middle part is taken, the partaround the outside of it being thrown away. It is then cutinto pieces and boiled, the first water thrown away andfresh water poured on it, until the water becomes neitherbitter nor sharp. It is also cut into pieces and dried in the

336


Urginea maritima


337


Bulbus sylvestris, Gagea lutea

from FUCHS — 1545

338


Ornithogalum umbellatum


shade and the pieces thrust through with a little linenthread, so that the parcels may not touch one another.These pieces we use to manufacture oil, wine, andvinegar of squills.

For cracks in the feet the inner part of the raw squill isapplied (either boiled in oil or else dissolved with rosin).Boiled with vinegar it is a plaster for those bitten byvipers. Mixing eight parts of roasted salt (pounded intosmall pieces) to one part of roasted squill we give onespoonful or two of it to those fasting for softening thebowels. Put into liquid medicines and aromaticmedicines it is good for those in whom we wish to inducemovement of urine, for dropsy, a stomach in which themeat swims above, jaundice, griping, those troubled with a cough for a long time, the asthmatic, and those who spit up (blood). Thirty grains (taken as a syrup with honey) issufficient. It is boiled together with honey and eaten forthe same purposes, very much facilitating mixtures. Italso draws out the slimy stuff that sticks in the bowels.Boiled and taken in the same way it does the same, andmust be avoided by those who have an inwardulceration. Roasted squill (rubbed on) is good for hanging warts and chilblains. The seed (pounded into small pieces and eaten with a dried fig or honey) softens the bowels. Itis also an antidote against poison hanged up wholebefore doors.

2-203. PANICRATION

SUGGESTED: Pancratium maritimum, Scilla pancratium— Sea Pancratium Lily, Sea Daffodil

Pancratium (also called the little squill) has a pale red or pale purple root similar to the great bulbus, and a

bitter burning taste. The leaves are similar to lilies butlonger. It has a similar strength and preparation as thesquill and the same dose [is to be taken of it]. It is good forthe same disorders but has a milder nature than squill. Asa result the root (juiced and mixed with flour of ervum[2-129, 2-131] and formed into tablets) is effective givenwith honey water for the spleen, and dropsy.

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2-204. KAPPARIS

SUGGESTED: Capparis spinosa — Common Caper Bush, Caper

Capparis is a prickly shrub spread in a roundcircumference on the ground. There are prickles on

the bush, crooked like a hook. The leaves are round(similar to those of the malicottoon [quince] tree), and thefruit similar to olives. On opening it first sends forth awhite flower, which, falling off, there is found somethingin the shape of of a long suppository. When opened thishas little red grains similar to those of a pomegranate. The many roots are woody and great. It grows only in roughbarren places, islands, and in courtyards belonging tohouses. Both the stalk and fruit are preserved in salt toeat. It disturbs the belly, is worthless for the stomach, andcauses thirst. Eaten boiled it is better for the stomach thanraw. Two teaspoonfuls of the fruit reduces the spleen(taken in a drink with wine daily for forty days); it alsoexpels urine and bloody excrement. The same (taken in adrink) helps sciatica and palsy, and is good for hernia and convulsions. Boiled in vinegar and used as a mouthwashit dries out the menstrual flow, draws away mucus in thehead, and it lessens toothache. The dry rind of the root isgood for the things spoken of before, and also cleansaway every old, filthy, hard ulcer. It is laid (with barleymeal) on those troubled with spleen, and the root is bitten to help a pained tooth. Pounded into small pieces withvinegar it takes away white vitiligines [form of leprosy].The leaves and root pounded together dissolve hardlumps, scrofulous tumours [glandular swelling], andgoitres. The juice poured in the ears kills worms in there.The African caper (especially that which grows near thepeople called Marmaridae) causes excessive gaseousness.That in Apulia encourages vomiting, but that from theRed Sea and Arabia is extremely sharp, raising pustules in the mouth and eating up the gums to the bare bone,therefore it is useless for eating. It is also called cynosbatos(as we would say, dog’s bush), capria, the apple of a crow,ophioscorodon, or ophiostapllylen (i.e. snake’s grape),thallian, petraea, holophyton, ioniten, or oligocloron, aconitum, hippomanes, or trichomanes. The Magi call it potera, some,

340


341


Capparis erythrocarpa


342


Malacocissus minor

from FUCHS — 1545

peuteron; it is also called the heart of a wolf, orhaloscorodon, the lily, or thlaspi. The Romans call it sinapiPersicum, some, inturis, and the Africans, herbiaeathum.

2-205. LEPIDION

SUGGESTED: Lepidium latifolium [Bauhin, Linnaeus] — Dittander, Pepperwort, Green Mustard

Lepidium campestre, Thlaspi campestre — Pepperwort

Lepidium (also called gingidium) is a well-known littleherb that is preserved in brine with milk. The leaves

are sharp and ulcerating. Pounded into small pieces withroot of elecampane and applied for a quarter of an hour,it is a most effective plaster for sciatica. It is also good inthe same way for the spleen and it takes away leprosy.The root is thought to take away toothache, hung aroundthe neck.

2-206. BATRACHION, BATRACHIONETERON, BATRACHION TRITON,

BATRACHION TETARTON

SUGGESTED: Batrachio [Italian], Ranunculis acris — Buttercup,Crowfoot, Blister Plant, Asiatic Crowfoot, Persian Buttercup,

Ranunculus asiaticus — Turban Ranunculus arvensis — Corn Crowfoot, Corn Buttercup

Apium sylvestre, Agreste apium, Sclerata [Fuchs], Ranunculus palustris [Bauhin], Ranunculus aquaticus,

Ranunculus scleratus, Ranunculus aquatilius — Water Crowfoot, Water Anemone

ALL POISONOUS

There are many kinds of batrachium (also called apiumagreste), but their strength is the same — sharp and

very ulcerating. One of them has leaves similar to those of coriander, yet broader and somewhat white and fat. Theflower is a yellowish colour and sometimes purple. Thestalk is not thick, in height about a foot. It has a bitter littleroot, with little fibrous strings growing out (like that ofhellebore). It grows near rivers or running water. Theother kind is more downy and longer-stalked, with morein-cuttings on the leaves, and is extremely sharp. It grows

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abundantly in Sardinia where they call it apium agreste.There is a third very small kind with a hard taste and aflower like gold, and a fourth (similar to this) with aflower the colour of milk. The leaves and the tender stalks (rubbed on) are ulcerating and scab forming, with pain.As a result, applied for only a little time, they take awayscabby nails and parasitic skin diseases; and they removemarks, as well as taking away abscesses, hanging warts,and alopecia [baldness]. A lukewarm boiled decoction of itis a suitable warm pack for those troubled with chilblains. The dried root pounded into small pieces and applied tothe nostrils causes sneezing. Applied to teeth it easestoothache but breaks the teeth.

2-207. ANEMONE

SUGGESTED: Anemone sylvestris [Fuchs], Anemone pulsillata[Linnaeus], Pulsatilla vulgaris — Pasque Flower [Mabberley]

Anemone pavonina, Anemone hortensis — Garden Anemone

POISONOUS

Anemone has two types — one wild, the othercultivated. Of the cultivated some bear flowers in a

Phoenician [red] colour, others of a pale, milky or purplecolour. The leaves are similar to coriander but lessragged, next to the ground. The little stalks are downy,thin, on which are flowers like poppies with the heads inthe middle black or azure [blue]. The root is the size ofthat of the olive or bigger. The wild is altogether biggerthan the cultivated, broader and harder in the leaves, and it has a longer head. The flower is a Phoenician [red]colour; there are many small little roots; and there is onekind that has black leaves and is sharper. They are bothsharp; as a result the juice of the root poured into thenostrils helps in purging the head. The chewed rootextracts mucus. Boiled in passum [raisin wine] andapplied it cures inflammation of the eyes, and mendsscars in the eyes and moisture in the eyes; and it cleansthe filthiness of ulcers. The leaves and stalks boiledtogether with barley water (and eaten) draw out milk[breastfeeding]. In a pessary it encourages the menstrualflow. Rubbed on it takes away leprosy.

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Anemone alba

after FAGUET - 1888

345


Cynara scolymus


346


Cochlearia armoracia


Some, not being able to distinguish between thatwhich is called argemone and the papaver rhoeas [4-64] (ofwhich we will speak when we come to discussion ofpoppies) from the wild anemone, because of thesimilarity of the colour of the flowers which are aPhoenician colour [red], are deceived calling argemone‘eupatorium’ [4-41]. Yet the Phoenician [red] colour of theargemone is somewhat less deep, as well as that of therhoeas, and both it and argemone flower later. The argemoneyields juice of a saffron colour that is extremely sharp tothe taste, but the rhoeas has a whiter, sharp juice. Both ofthem have little heads between (similar to the wildpoppy), but those of argemone are somewhat broader atthe top, and those of rhoeas somewhat narrower.Anemones neither give out juice nor have they a head orcup, but (as it were) a top like asparagus, and they growthem for the most part in fields.

It is also called wild anemone, black anemone, purpleanemone, anemion, meconium, tragoceros, gesparine, orbarbyle. Osthenes calls it berylius, Ornios calls it ceranios,Pythagoras calls it atractylis, the Magi, cnicus agrestis, theRomans, orci tunica, and the Africans, chuffis.

2-208. ARGEMONE

SUGGESTED: Papaver argemone, Papaver hybridum — Pale Poppy, Wind Rose, Rough Poppy, Cock’s Head,

Sand Poppy

Argemone is very like the wild poppy. It has a dividedleaf similar to anemone, a flower on the stalk a

Phoenician [red] colour, with a head similar to papaverrhoeas [4-64] but somewhat longer and broad towards theupper parts, and a round root. It yields sharp juice of asaffron colour. The leaves applied as a poultice take awayargemae [small white ulcers on the cornea] and smallclouds in the eye, and lessen inflammation. Crateuas theherbalist says (to the same intent) that this herbargemone pounded together with swines' greasedissolves scrofulous tumours [glandular swelling,goitres]. It is good for white leprosy dried, pounded withsaltpetre [potassium nitrate] and sulphur that has not feltfire, and sifted. It cures those who use it (rubbed on dryfirst) in a bath. It is also effective against scab [itchy

347


parasitical skin diseases]. It is also called oenone, anthemisarvensis, or homonoia, (as we should say) concord, or floscampestris; the Romans call it liburnia, or concordialis, and it is also called pergalia; the Gauls call it corna.

2-208a. ARGEMONE

SUGGESTED: Papaver armenaicum, Papaver caucasicum, Papaver floribundum, Papaver orientale — Poppy species

The other argemone is like wild poppy in the leaves.Pounded into small pieces (while still green) and

applied, it is able to cure cuts and lessen inflammation ofthe eyes. It is good (taken in a drink with water) fordysentery. It seals wounds and is good applied toinflammation. Similarly applied it cures convulsions andtwitching. It is good (taken in a drink of wine) for thosebitten by poisonous beasts. It is also called artemone,arselam, or sarcocolla; the Romans call it artemonia.

2-209. ANAGALLIS, KORKOROS

SUGGESTED: Anagallis mas [Fuchs], Anagallis arvensis[Linnaeus], Anagallis phoenecea, Anagallis repens,

Lysimachia adoensis — Scarlet Pimpernel,Poor Man’s Weather Glass

Anagallis foemina [Fuchs, Linnaeus], Anagallis coerulea — Blue Pimpernel

POISONOUS — CAUSES ANAEMIA AND DERMATITIS

[other usage] Korkoros, Corchoris olitorius — Corchorus

There are two kinds of anagallis, differing in the flower, for that which has an azure [blue] flower is called the

female, but that of a Phoenician [red] colour is called themale. They are little shrubs spreading on the ground,with small leaves on their four-cornered little stalks,somewhat round, similar to those of helxine [4-39, 4-86],with round fruit. They are both lessening in strength,drive away inflammation, extract [draw out] splinters orthorns that were run into the body, and repressgangrenous ulcers. The juice gargled purges the head ofmucus, and poured into the nostrils it stops toothache. Itis put in the opposing nostril to the sore tooth. With Attic

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349


Lactuca sylvestris

from FUCHS — 1545

350


Veronica mas

from FUCHS — 1545

[Athenian] honey it mends argemae [small white ulcers on the cornea] and helps moisture of the eyes. It is good(taken as a drink with wine) for those bitten by vipers, aswell as for kidney and liver ailments, and for dropsy, butsome say that if the anagallis which has the azure [blue]flower is applied it stops prolapse of the perineum, andthat which has the Phoenician [red] flower encourages it.

Some call it punicea, others, aeritis, aegitis, or sauritis,the Magi call it oculi sanguis, others, chelidonion, theRomans, macia, the Etruscans, masitipos, the Gauls, sapana, the Dacians, cerceraphron. The common anagallis some call corchoros, halicacabus, or zeliauros, the Magi, nycteritis, theEgyptians call it micij, the Romans, meciato, and theAfricans, asirrhizi.

2-210. KISSOS

SUGGESTED: Hedera nigra, Hedera helix [Fuchs, Linnaeus] — Common Ivy

ALSO: Hedera helix poetica, Hedera helix vegeta [other usage] Cissus quadrangularis, Vitis quadrangularis

— Edible Stemmed Vine Cissus digitata — Wild Grape, Sorrel Vine

Cissus has many differences (according to the type)but there are three most particular kinds, for some is

white, some black and another helix [spiralled]. Thewhite therefore bears a white fruit, the black a black oneor sometimes a saffron colour (which the vulgar sort alsocall dionysium), but the helix [spiralled] is without fruitand has white branches and thin leaves, is full of cornersand red. All cissus is sharp and astringent and touches the sinewy parts. The flowers (as much as one can take up ofthem with three fingers) taken in a drink of wine aregood for dysentery, but it must be taken in a drink twice a day. The same amount (pounded into small pieces withwaxy ointments) are good for burns. The tender leavesboiled with vinegar (or the raw ones pounded togetherwith bread) heal the spleen. The juice from the leaves and berries with irinum [1-66], honey, or saltpetre [potassiumnitrate] is poured into the nostrils and is good for oldsores on the head. The head is moistened with this juice(with vinegar and rosaceum) [1-53], and with oil it curessore, purulent ears. The juice and clusters [of fruit] (takenas a drink) cause sterility, and taken in too great an

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amount trouble the mind. Five berries from a cluster ofberries (pounded fine, warmed with rosaceum in apomegranate skin) dropped into the opposite ear duringtoothache lessen the pain. The clusters of berries dye thehair black.

The leaves (boiled as previously mentioned) are laidas a poultice on any sort of ulcer; and applied as poulticescure sunburn and very bad burns. The clusters of berries(pounded fine and given as a pessary) induce themenstrual flow. A teaspoonful taken as a drink afterwomens’ cleansing hinders conception. The stalks of theleaves moistened with honey and put into the vulvaexpel the menstrual flow and are an abortifacient. Thejuice (dropped in) purges away the stinking smell in thenostrils and their rotten ulcers. The oozing of cissusremoves hair [depilatory], and rubbed on it kills lice. Thejuice from the roots (taken as a drink with vinegar) helpsthose bitten by harvest spiders. It is also called cittaros,cissaros, chrysocarpos, poetica, corymbias, or cussion, (as wewould say, hederula), dionysia, (a sort of bacchicei),ithutherion, persis, cemos, or asplenos; the Romans call itsilvae mater, some, hedera, and the Gauls, subites.

2-211. CHELIDONION

SUGGESTED: Chelidonium majus [Fuchs, Bauhin, Linnaeus] — Swallow Wort, Greater Celandine

Chelidonia the greater sends out a slender stalk theheight of a foot or more with branches full of leaves.

The leaves are similar to those of ranunculus, yet those ofchelidonia are more tender, somewhat a sky blue colour,and by every leaf there is a flower like leucoion [3-138].The juice is a saffron colour — sharp, biting, a little bitter,and with a strong smell. The root is single at the upperend but divided lower down, and a saffron colour. Thefruit is like horned poppy — slender, long like a cone —in which are little seeds, bigger however than those ofpoppy. The juice of this (mixed with honey and boiled ina brass jar over coals) is good for sharpening the sight[eyes]. The leaves, root and fruit are juiced when theyemerge in summer. This juice is dried in the shade andmade into little balls. The root cures jaundice, taken in adrink with anisum [3-65] and white wine; and also

352


353


Isatis sativa

from FUCHS — 1545

354


Isatis sylvestris

from FUCHS — 1545

applied with wine for herpes [viral skin infection]. Itlessens toothache if chewed. It seems to be calledchelidonia because it springs out of the ground togetherwith the swallows’ appearance and withers with themdeparting. Some have related that if any of the swallows’young ones is blind, the female parents bring this herb toheal it. It is also called paeonia, crataea, aoubios, glaucios,pandionis radix, philomedion, or othonion; the Romans call itfabium, the Gauls, thona, the Egyptians, mothoth, and theDacians, crustane.

2-212. CHELIDONION MIKRON

SUGGESTED: Chelidonium minus, Scrofularia [Fuchs]Malacocissus minor [Brunfels], Chelidonia rotundifolia minor

[Bauhin], Ranunculus ficaria [Linnaeus] — Celadine

Chelidonia minor (which some have called sylvestretriticum) is a little herb full of little feet, without a

stalk (compact), with leaves similar to cissus [2-210], yetmuch rounder, smaller, tender and somewhat fat. It hasmany small roots from a single place, growing closetogether like wheat grains, but there are three or fourwhich grow out long. It grows around waters andmarshy places. It is sharp like anemone, ulcerating to theoutside of the skin. It takes away parasitic skin diseasesand scabbed nails. The juiced roots are put into thenostrils with honey for purging the head. Similarly adecoction of it gargled with honey powerfully purges thehead, and purges all things out of the chest.

2-213. OTHONNA

SUGGESTED: Othonna — African Ragwort Othonna cheirifolia — Barbary Ragwort

The plant of the ancients can have had little affinity with that of the moderns[Loudon].

Some say othonna is the juice of chelidonia major, some of glaucium, some say that it is the juice of the flowers of

horned poppy, some that it is a mixture of the juices ofanagallis coerulea [2-209], hyoscyamus [4-69] and poppy,and some say that it is the juice of a certain primitive herbcalled othonna, and that it grows in the part of Arabia that

355


lies towards Egypt. It has only a few leaves (like eruca[2-170]) full of holes as though they were wormeaten, ill-favoured or mouldy. It bears a broad-petalled saffron-coloured flower, as a result some think it to be a kind ofanemone. It is juiced and put into eye medicines forwhen there is need of cleansing the eyes; it has a bitingnature and removes all things that darken the pupilswhatsoever. Some say that there is a certain kind of fluidthat flows from the herb, which, washing and removingthe stones from it, they make into lozenges for the sameuse. Some say that othonna is an Egyptian stone found inThebais — the colour of brass, small in size, biting to thetaste, with a certain kind of burning and astringency.

2-214. MUOS OTON

SUGGESTED: Alsine maior [Fuchs], Alsine media [Bauhin,Linnaeus], Stellara media [in Sprague] — Stitchwort,

Chickweed, Starwort [Mabberley]

[other usage] Myosotis arvensis — Field Forget-me-not, Mouse Ear

Myosotis alpestris — Myosotis, Forget-me-not

see 4-87

Muris auriculae (also called myosotis) sends out manyhollow stalks of a somewhat reddish colour

(toward the lower end) from one root. The leaves aresomewhat long and narrow with the backbone of themstanding out, a blackish colour, growing up by distances,two and two, ending in a sharp point. Thinner little stalks grow out of the wings, on which are little flowers of a sky- blue colour, small like those of anagallis [2-209]. The root is the thickness of a finger with many hairy strings. The root of this (applied) heals ulcers in the inner angle of the eye.Finally, the herb is similar to scolopendrium [3-121] yetsmoother and smaller. Some also call it alsine, myoton,anthyllion, myortochon, or myrtosplenon; the Romans call itmuris auricula, and the Africans, labatholabat.

356


357


Anagallis mas

from FUCHS — 1545

358


Anagallis foemina

from FUCHS — 1545

2-215. ISATIS EMEROS

SUGGESTED: Isatis sativa [Fuchs], Isatis tinctoria var sativa[Linnaeus], Pastel, Glastum — Woad, Ash of Jerusalem,

Dyer’s Weed

cultivated, POISONOUS — fermented leaves produce indigo blue dye

Isatis sativa (which the dyers use) has a leaf like plantainbut fatter and darker, and a stalk over two feet high.

The leaves (applied) are able to dissolve any oedema ortumour, heal bloody wounds, stop bleeding, and curespreading ulcers, herpes [viral skin infection] and rottenulcers. It is also called augion, or egne, the Magi call itarusium, and the Romans, ruta.

2-216. ISATIS AGRIA

SUGGESTED: Isatis sylvestris [Fuchs], Isatis tinctoria var vulgaris[Linnaeus], Isatis campestris — Field Woad

Isatis sylvestris is similar to that mentioned above but ithas bigger leaves nearly the size of those of lettuce, and

slender somewhat reddish stalks with many slits. On thetop hang many little pods similar to tongues in which isthe seed, and a thin flower of a yellowish colour. It issimilar in effectiveness to that spoken of before, and isalso good for the splenetic, taken as a drink and alsoapplied. It is also called egne parva; the Romans call it rutaminor.

(It is to be understood that these descriptions of isatiscontain that which is erroneous, for the cultivated bearsboth a yellowish flower and more slender and muchdivided branches and little pods on the top, like tonguesin which are the seeds, but there is contained in these ablack seed similar to melanthium [3-93], and it bears a stalkover two feet high and not only over one foot high. Butthe wild sort bears blacker leaves than this, a lower,thicker stalk, a flower of a purple or azure [blue] colourand the fruit like a cross, sharp, in which are the seed,separated or distinguished in a way by five little leavesapiece and those equal. — Goodyer)

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2-217. TELEPHION

SUGGESTED: Telephium album, Telephium purpurascens [Fuchs]Acetabulum alterum album, Acetabulum alterum purpureum[Brunfels], Sedum telephium [Linnaeus], Sedum vulgare, Sedum purpureum, Telefio [Italian] — Orpine, Livelong,

Midsummer Men

Telephium is similar to andrachne [2-150] both in theleaves and stalk, with two wings sticking from every

knot of the leaves; six or seven small branches from theroot, full of azure-coloured [blue] leaves — thick, toughand fleshy; the flowers a yellowish or whitish colour. Itgrows in the springtime in vineyards and clay or shaleplaces. The leaves applied for six hours cure whiteleprosy, but after this you must use barley meal. Rubbedon with vinegar in the sun they take away vitiligines[type of leprosy], but after they have dried they must bewiped off. Some call it sempervivum sylvestre, and somecall it portulaca sylvestris, the Romans call it illecebra, theEgyptians, anoth, and the Africans, atirtopuris.

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Chelidonium majus


Telephium imperati


361


Tertia ranunculi lutei

from FUCHS — 1545

362


Ranunculi quarta

from FUCHS — 1545

BOOK THREE: ROOTS

In the previous books, most loving Areius, we havetalked of spices, ointments, oils, trees and their fruits,

of lacrymae [resins], as well as living creatures, grains,vegetables, and herbs possessing sharpness; but in thisthe third book we will set out an account of roots, juices,herbs, and seeds — suitable both for common use and formedications.

3-1. AGARICON

SUGGESTED: Fomes officinalis, Polyphorus officinalis, Boletus purgans, Polyphorus igniarius, Boletus laricis,

Ungulina officinalis — Agaric[other usage] Agaricus aurantiacus — Orange Mushroom

Agaricus campestris — Common Mushroom

Agaricum is said to be a root similar to silphium [3-94],not thick on the outside like silphium, but all thin.

Some of it is male and some female, of which the femaleexcels, having straight veins within, but the male is round and grows the same on all sides. In taste both are thesame, tasting sweet indeed at first; after dissolving itgrows bitter. It grows in Agaria in the Sarmatian(country). Some say it is the root of a tree, some that itgrows in the stocks of trees that are rotten, likemushrooms. It also grows in Galatia in Asia, and in Ciliciaon the cedars but this is brittle and weak. As for theproperties of it: it is astringent and warming, good forgriping, indigestion, hernias, and falls from on high.Twenty grains is given with honeyed wine to those notfeverish, but it is given in honey and water to thefeverish. For liver ailments, asthma, jaundice, dysentery,nephritis, dysuria, womb constriction, and sickly looks ateaspoonful is given. To those with tuberculosis of thelungs it is given with passum [raisin wine]; and to thesplenetic with vinegar and honey. For gastritis it is givenas it is, chewed and swallowed down without moisturepoured on it. In a similar way it is given for acidicvomiting. Thirty grains (taken with water) stops the

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throwing-up of blood. An equal amount (taken withvinegar and honey) is good for sore hips, sore joints, andepilepsy. It encourages the menstrual flow, and the sameweight is effectively given to women with a suffocatedwomb. It dissolves shivering, given before a fever fit. Ateaspoonful or two (taken as a drink with honey andwater) purges the bowels. It is an antidote for poisontaken with one teaspoonful of diluted wine; and thirtygrains (taken as a drink with wine) helps the strikes andbites of snakes. Finally, it is good for all internal disorders, given according to strength and age — to some withwater, to others with wine, and to others with vinegarand honey, or honey and water.

3-2. RA

SUGGESTED: Rabarabo [Italian], Rheum officinale — Wild Rhubarb

Rheum rhaponticum — Rhapontic, Pie Rhubarb, Garden Rhubarb

the leaves are POISONOUS

Rha grows in places beyond the Bosporus, from where it is brought. The root is outwardly black, similar to

centaury the larger, yet smaller and redder within. It iswithout smell, loose, somewhat light, but the best is notwormeaten, and is slimy to the taste with a weakastringency. Chewed, it is pale and somewhat similar tosaffron in colour.

It is good (taken in a drink) for gaseousness, weakness of the stomach, all types of suffering, convulsions, spleen, liver ailments, inflammation in the kidneys, griping anddisorders of the bladder and chest, matters related tohypochondria [indigestion with nervous disorder],afflictions around the womb, sciatica, spitting up blood,asthma, rickets, dysentery, abdominal cavity afflictions,flows of fevers, and bites from poisonous beasts. Youmust give it as you do agaric [above] for every disorder — allowing the same amounts with liquids, using it withhoneyed wine to those not feverish, but to the feverishgive it with honey and water; for tuberculosis withpassum [raisin wine]; to the splenetic with vinegar andhoney; for gastritis chewed as it is and swallowed down(no moisture taken with it). It takes away bruises and

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365


Gentiana

from FUCHS — 1545

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BOOK THREE: ROOTS

Chamaeleon albus

from FUCHS — 1545

lichen [papular skin disease] rubbed on with vinegar, andit dissipates obstinate inflammations applied with water.The chief strength of it is astringency with some heating.It is also called ria, the Romans call it rha ponticum, and it is also called reon.

3-3. GENTIANE

SUGGESTED: Gentiana [Fuchs], Gentiana lutea [Linnaeus],Asterias lutea, Sweertia lutea — Yellow Gentian

most bitter plant material known

Gentiana seems indeed first to have been found byGentius the king of the Illyrians from whom it took

its surname. The leaves are similar to carya [1-178] orplantain at the root, somewhat reddish, but those on themiddle stalk and especially those around the top are alittle jagged. The stalk is empty, smooth, the thickness ofa finger, two feet high, divided by joints, surroundedwith leaves at bigger distances; and with broad fruit incups, light, chaffed, like sphondylium [3-90]. The long rootis similar to aristolochia [3-4, 3-5, 3-6] — longer, thick andbitter. It grows on the highest peaks of mountains and inshady watery places. Two teaspoonfuls of the root arewarming and astringent, and (taken as a drink withpepper, rice and wine) it helps those bitten by venomouscreatures. A teaspoonful of extracted juice is good fordisorders of the sides, falls from heights, hernia, andconvulsions. It also helps liver ailments and gastritistaken as a drink with water. The root — especially thejuice — applied as a suppository, is an abortifacient. It is awound herb applied like lycium [1-132], a medicine fordeep ulcers, and an ointment for inflamed eyes. The juiceis mixed into the sharper sort of eye salves orsuppositories in place of meconium [4-65]. The root cleansvitiligines [form of leprosy]. It is juiced by being bruisedand steeped in water for five days, then afterwards boiled in the water until the roots appear on top. When thewater is cold it is strained through a linen cloth, boileduntil it becomes like honey in consistency, and stored in aceramic jar. It is also called centaurea radix, aloe gallica,narce, or chironium, the Trojans call it aloitis, the Romans,gentiana, others, cicendia, or cyminalis.

367


3-4. ARISTOLOCHIA STROGGOLE

SUGGESTED: Pistolochia [Fuchs], Fumaria bulbosa [Bauhin,Linnaeus], Corydalis cava [in Sprague] — Fumitory

Aristolochia is called this because it is thought to helpwomen in childbirth exceedingly well. The round

type is called female; it has leaves similar to cissus —sweet smelling, with sharpness, somewhat round,tender, with many shoots on one root. The branches arevery long, the white flowers are similar to little hats, andthe red (part) in them has a bad scent.

3-5. ARISTOLOCHIA MAKRA

SUGGESTED: Aristolochia pistolochia — Birthwort

POISONOUS

The long aristolochia is called male and dactylitis, withleaves somewhat longer than the round aristolochia,

slender branches of about twenty centimetres length,and purple flowers with a bad scent. These, withering,become similar to a pear. The root of the round aristolochia is like a turnip, but the root of the long kind is thethickness of a finger, being twenty centimetres long ormore. Both of them are mostly of wood colour, bitter totaste, and poisonous. It is also called melocarpum, orteuxinon, and the Romans call it herba aristolochia.

3-6. ARISTOLOCHIA KLEMATITIS

SUGGESTED: Aristolochia rotunda [Fuchs], Aristolochia longa[Fuchs, Brunfels], Aristolochia clematitis [Linnaeus, Bauhin] — Round Aristoloch, Apple of Earth, Common Birthwort

POISONOUS

There is also a third long type which is called clematitis, with slender branches full of somewhat long leaves

similar to the smaller sempervivum [4-89, 4-90, 4-91]. Theflowers are similar to rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98], bright yellow,in a terminal flattened inflorescence. The roots are longer, slender, with a thick bark and an aromatic smell. Theointment makers use them effectively for thickening

368

BOOK THREE: ROOTS

369


Aristolochia clematitis

after HEYNS — 1888

370

BOOK THREE: ROOTS

Aristolochia rotunda vulgaris

from FUCHS — 1545

ointments. One teaspoonful of the round one (taken in adrink with wine, and also applied) is indeed good forpoisons, but the long one is given for poisons of snakesand deadly poisons. Taken in a drink with pepper andmyrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116] it puts out all remaining bodilywastes and the menstrual flow, and is an abortifacient.Applied in a pessary it does the same, and the round iseffective for the things we have mentioned. Moreover,taken as a drink with water, it helps asthma, rickets,chills, the spleen, hernias, convulsions, and pains of theside. Applied, it extracts splinters and prickles, and takesoff scales on bones. With iris and honey it emarginates[removes the edge of] rotten ulcers, and cleans foul ulcers and fills up their hollows. It also cleans gums and teeth. Itis thought that all clematitis is good for these things. Yetthis has less strength than those previously mentioned. Itgrows in mountainous or warm, level places or else inrough, rocky places. It is good for a serious fever, only letthe one with the fever inhale the smoke over coals andthe fever will stop. Applied, it heals wounds. With theseed of dracunculus [2-196b] and honey it helpsmalignancies in the nostrils. Boiled with oil or swinegrease and rubbed on it cures chills. (Crateuas theHerbalist and Gallus have said the same and that it isgood for the gouty). It is called arariza, melecaprum, ephesia, lestitis, pyxionyx, dardanus, or iontitis by some. The Gaulscall it theximon, the Egyptians, sophoeth, the Sicilians,chamaemelum, the Italians, terrae malum, and the Dacianscall it absinthium rusticum.

3-7. GLUKORIZA

SUGGESTED: Glycyrrhiza, Liquortia [Fuchs],Glycyrrhiza glabra [Linnaeus], Glycyrrhiza laevis,

Liquortia officinalis — Liquorice Plant

Glycyrrhiza grows abundantly in Cappadocia andPontus. It is a little shrub, the branches two feet

high, around which the leaves grow thickly like lentiscum[1-90], thick and clammy to the touch. The flower issimilar to hyacinth; the fruit, the size of the berries of theplane tree but sharper, with pods like lentil, red andsmall. The roots are long, the colour of wood, similar tothose of gentian, somewhat bitter and sweetish. They are

371


juiced like lycium [1-132]. This juice is good for sharpnessof the arteries but it must be put under the tongue to let itmelt. It is good similarly for burning of the stomach,disorders in the chest and liver, parasitic skin diseases,and bladder or kidney disorders. Taken with a drink ofpassum [raisin wine] and melted in the mouth it quenches thirst. Rubbed on, it heals wounds; and chewed, it is good for the stomach. A decoction of the new roots is good forthe same things. The dry root pounded into small piecesis fit for sprinkling on pterygium [membrane on eye]. It isalso called pontica, glyceraton, symphyton, leontica,glycyphyton, scythion, adipson, sylithra, libthestaso,homoenomoea, or peenthaomoeos, and the Latins call it dulcisradix.

3-8. KENTAURION MAKRON

SUGGESTED: Cyanus, Flos frumentorum [Fuchs],Cyanus sylvestris [Brunfels], Cyanus segetum [Bauhin],

Centaurea cyanus [Linnaeus] — Bachelor’s Button

Centaury the great has leaves similar to the carya[1-178], somewhat long, green in colour (like those

of brassica), the circumference of them cut-in like a saw. Ithas a of stalk two or three feet high like lapathum [2-140]with many shoots from the root. On top are heads likepoppy somewhat large in circumference. The flowers areazure [blue], and the seed similar to cnicus [4-119, 4-190](laid as it were) in downy flowers. The root is thick,sound, heavy, about two feet long, full of juice, sharp,with a certain astringency and sweetness, inclining tored. It loves a rich soil open to the sun, woods andhillocks. It is abundant in Lycia, Peloponesse, Helis,Arcadia, Messenia, Pholoe, Lycia, and around Smyrna.The root is good with wine for hernia, convulsions,pleurisy, difficulty with breathing, old coughs,bloodspitters and those without fevers. For the feverish,two teaspoonfuls of the root is given, pounded into smallpieces with water. Similarly it is given for griping andsores of the vulva. It expels the menstrual flow and is anabortifacient, shaved into the form of a suppository andapplied to the vulva. The juice does the same things.Pounded whilst moist, it is good for wounds. When dry itis first steeped and then pounded. It draws together,

372

BOOK THREE: ROOTS

Centaurea cyanus

after WINKLER — 1891

373


Spina incognita

from FUCHS — 1545

374

BOOK THREE: ROOTS

Aristolochia longa

from FUCHS — 1545

heals, and joins together flesh that is pale and flaccid, ifyou pound it and boil it. In Lycia they juice it and use itlike lycium [1-132]. It is called panacea [heal-all] because itsoothes all sores from inflammation and strong blows.Used in suppositories it soothes slow and painfulurination, and helps those with stones [kidney, urinary].It is gathered when the sun is about to rise, in a clearseason, when everything is at its peak.

It is also called narce, limnesion, marone, pelethronion,chironias or limnestis, the Magi call it blood of Hercules;the Romans call it ferum, uvifera, or fel terrae.

3-9. KENTAURION MIKRON

SUGGESTED: Centaurium minus [Fuchs, Bauhin],Centaurea verutum Erythraea centaurium,

Chironia centaurium, Gentiana centaurium [Linnaeus],Centaurium erythraea — Lesser Centaury, Common Centaury,

Feverwort, Centaury, Earthgall, Dwarf Centaury

The little centaury is a herb similar to hypericum [3-171]or origanum, with a stalk over twenty centimetres

high that has corners. The flowers are similar to those oflychnis [3-114, 3-115], a faint Phoenician [reddish] purple.The leaves are small, very long, like rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98].The seed is similar to wheat, the root small, miserable and smooth. Pounded while still green and applied it sealswounds, and purges old ulcers and brings them to a scar.Boiled and swallowed down, it expels bile and thickfluids through the bowels. A decoction of it is a fitsuppository for sciatica, drawing out blood and easingpain. The juice is good for eye medicines with honey,cleaning away things that darken the pupils. In a pessaryit extracts the menstrual flow and is an abortifacient.Taken as a drink it is equally good for disorders of thestrength. The herb is juiced; first it is gathered when fullof seed and steeped in water for five days, afterwards it isboiled until it floats above the water. Afterwards thecooled herb is pressed and strained through a linen cloth,and boiled again to the consistency of honey. Some beat it (green and full of seed) then press out the juice and throw it into an unglazed ceramic jar. They stir it about in thesun, moving it continuously with a stick, and repeatedlyscraping away pieces that hang out. They mix it with

375


Centaureum minus

from FUCHS — 1545

moist juice and cover it carefully at night, for dewprevents the thickening of moist juices. Centaury is goodfor inflammation and bruises from strikes, helps womentroubled with motherhood [pregnancy], and eases thepain of slow, painful urination and [urinary] stones.Gather the herb in the spring at sunrise.

Many of the dry roots or herbs that are juiced areprepared by boiling (like gentian). Juices pressed out ofmoist barks, roots, or herbs are stirred around in the sun(as previously mentioned) — including thapsia [4-157],mandragora [mandrake], unripe grapes, and similarthings. Lycium [1-132], wormwood [3-26], hypocistis[1-127] and herbs similar to these are boiled and stirredaround as previously mentioned.

Centaury is also called limnesion, helleborites, oramaranton, the Magi call it the blood of Hercules, theRomans, febrifuga, some, herba multiradix, the Dacians,tulbela; and it is also called limnaion because it loves moistplaces.

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BOOK THREE: ROOTS

Carlina acaulis

from ENGLER-PRANTL— 1897

ROOTS OF AKANTHODA orPRICKLY PLANTS

3-10. CHAMAILEON LEUKOS

SUGGESTED: Chamaeleon albus [Fuchs, Brunfels],Carlina caulescens [Bauhin], Carlina acaulis [Linnaeus]

— Stemless Carline Thistle[other usage] Carlina gummifera, Atractylis gummifera

— White Chamoeleon

White chamaeleon is called ixia because in some places viscous matter is found at the roots of it which

women use instead of mastic [1-89, 1-90]. It has leavessimilar to silybum [4-159] or carduus nutans [musk thistle]but rougher, sharper, and stronger than the blackchamaeleon [below]. It does not have a stalk but out of themiddle puts out a prickle similar to that of the sea urchinor cinara. The flowers are a purple colour, like hairs, flying away in down, with seed similar to cnicus [4-119, 4-190].The root is thick in fertile hills but in the mountains it ismore slender, white at the bottom, somewhat aromatic,with a strong sweet taste. An acetabulum [vinegar cruet] of this (taken in a drink) expels broadworms. It is taken inhard wine with a decoction of origanum. For dropsy ateaspoonful is given with wine to ease them. A decoctionis taken in a drink for frequent painful urination. Takenas a drink with wine it is an antidote to poison. Kneadedwith polenta then diluted with water and oil it kills dogs,swine, and mice. It is also called chrysisceptrum, or ixia; the Romans call it carduus nutans varius, the Egyptians, epher,and some, epthosephim.

377


3-11. CHAMAILEON MELAS

SUGGESTED: Chamaeleon niger, Spina incognita [Fuchs],Carduus sphaerocephalus [Bauhin], Echinops sphaerocephalus

[Linnaeus] — Globe Thistle[other usage] Cardopatium corymbosum,

Carthamus corymbosum, Brotera corymbosa — Black Chamoeleon

Black chamaeleon has leaves similar to scolymushispanicus, yet they are smaller, thinner and

distinguished with red. It sends out a stalk the thicknessof a finger, twenty centimetres high, somewhat red, witha tuft and prickly flowers — small, similar to hyacinth,variously-coloured. The root is thick, black, compact andsometimes eaten-into. When cut it is a pale yellow, and isbiting when chewed. It grows in dry rocky grounds andplaces bordering the sea. The root (pounded into smallpieces) is mixed with a little cobblers' ink, cedar oil andswines’ grease, and used to remove parasitic skindiseases. It cleans away lichen [papular skin disease],boiled with vinegar and rubbed on (with the addition ofsulphur and bitumen). It is used as a mouthwash, and adecoction of it soothes toothache. Wrapped in sameamount of pepper and wax it helps pained teeth. Teethare preserved if it is boiled with vinegar and poured onthem. Conveyed warm through a quill [straw] it breaks asore tooth. It cleans away vitiligines [form of leprosy] andsunburn, is mixed with ripening medicines, and applied,heals spreading wild ulcers, destroying them. It is calledchamaeleon because of the various colours of the leaves.For these vary, differing according to the place, oftengreen, pale, azure-coloured [blue], or red. It is also calledpancarpon, ulophonum, ixia, cynomachon, ocimoides, cnidiumcoccum, or cynoxylon; the Latins call it carduus nutans niger,some, vernilago, and the Egyptians, sobel.

3-12. KROKODEILION

SUGGESTED: Carthamus lanatus, Centaurea crocodylium — Blush-flowered Centaury

Crocodilium is similar to black chamaeleon [above] but itgrows in woody places. It has a long root — light,

378

ROOTS OF AKANTHODA or PRICKLY PLANTS

somewhat broad, with a sharp smell, like nasturtium[2-185]. The root warmed in water and taken as a drink isable to drive out quantities blood through the nostrils. Itis given to the splenetic evidently helping them. The seed of it (round and double like a buckler [shield]) is diuretic.

3-13. DIPSAKON

SUGGESTED: Dipsacus albus, Cardo fullonum,Carduus fullonius [Fuchs], Dipsacus sativus [Bauhin], Dipsacus fullonum — Fullers’ Teazle, Draper's Teazle Dipsacus sylvestris — Wild Teazle, Shepherd's Rod,

Barber's Brushes

Dipsacus is also a prickly plant. It has a high stalk fullof prickles, with leaves enclosing the stalk similar to

lettuce, two at every knot, tall and prickly, having (as itwere) some prickly bladders on the middle of the backboth within and without, and hollow places around thetwo (joining) parts of the leaves so that it gathers waterfrom the dew and showers (which is how it got its name).On the top of the stalk at every shoot there is one headsimilar to a hedgehog, somewhat long and prickly. Driedit turns white, but the head (divided) has small wormsaround the middle of the pith. The root of this (boiledwith wine and pounded until the thickness of a waxointment) is put in to heal cracks and fistulas in theperineum. The medicine must be stored in a brass box.They say that it is a cure for protruding and hangingwarts. The worms from the heads (bound up in a purseand hanged around the neck or the arm) are said to curethose who have fevers with recurrent paroxysms. It isalso called crocodilium, chamaeleon, or onocardium, somecall it the bath of Venus, the Romans call it the lip ofVenus, some, the thistle of Venus, the Egyptians, seseneor, some, chir, or meleta, and the Dacians, sciare.

379


3-14. AKANTHA LEUKE

SUGGESTED: Spina alba sylvestris [Fuchs], Onopordium acanthum [Linnaeus] — Cotton Thistle,

Scotch Thistle

Acantha leuke grows on mountains and in woodyplaces. It has leaves similar to white chamaeleon [3-10]

but narrower, whiter, somewhat rough and prickly. Thestalk is over two feet (high), the thickness of the greatfinger or rather more, a pale white, empty within. On thetop of it there is a prickly head similar to a sea urchin, butsmaller and somewhat long. The flowers are purple, inwhich is the seed like that of cnicus [4-119, 4-190] butrounder. The root (taken in a drink) is good forbloodspitters, gastritis, and the abdominal cavity, and itencourages urine. It is laid on oedema, and a decoction ofthis as a mouth rinse is good for toothache. The seed(taken in a drink) helps convulsed children, and thosebitten by snakes. They say that worn as an amulet (byitself) it drives away poisonous creatures. It is also calledwild cinara, donacitis, or erysisceptron, and the Romans callit spina regia, or carduus.

3-15. AKANTHA ARABIKE

SUGGESTED: Acanthus spinosus — Oyster Plant

Acantha arabica seems similar in nature to the whitethistle — astringent, good for excessive [menstrual]

discharges of women, the throwing-up of blood andother discharges — the root being similarly effective. Itgrows in rough places. It is also called acanthisa, while theRomans call it spina.

380


381


Glycyrrhiza glabra


382


Centaurea benedicta


3-16. SKOLUMOS

SUGGESTED: Scolymus, Cinara, Articocalus [Fuchs], Cinara hortensis [Bauhin], Cynara scolymus [Linnaeus]

— Artichoke[other usage] Spotted Golden Thistle — Scolymus maculatusGolden Thistle, Spanish Oyster Plant — Scolymus hispanicus

Scolymus hispanicus has leaves like chamaeleon [3-10,3-11], and the thorn is called white but is darker and

thicker. It puts out a long stalk full of leaves on which is aprickly head. The root lies underneath — black, thick, itsstrength good for those with a bad smell in the armpitsand the rest of the body [body odour] applied or boiled in wine; and taken as a drink as it draws out much stinkingurine. The new growth of the herb boiled like asparagusis eaten instead of a vegetable. It is also called ferula, orpyracantha, the Romans call it strobylus, and theEgyptians, chnus.

3-17. POTERION

SUGGESTED: Poterium officinale — Great Burnet Poterium sanguisorba, Sanguisorba minor — Salad Burnet

Astragalus poterium, Astragalus arnacantha — Small Goat’s Thorn

Poterium is a large shrub with long branches — soft,flexible like a bridle, thin, similar to tragacanth — the

leaves little, round. The whole shrub is surrounded witha thin woolly down and is prickly; the flowers are smalland white. The seed (to one who tastes it) has a sweetscent and is sharp with no use. It grows in sandy and hilly countries. The roots are underneath, two or three feetlong, strong and sinewy. When cut close to the groundthey send out a fluid similar to gum. The roots (cut andsmeared on) heal cut-apart sinews and wounds, and adecoction of it (taken as a drink) is good for disorders ofthe strength. It is also called phrynion, or andidotum, andthe Ionians call it neurada.


383

Carduus scolymus


3-18. AKANTHION

UNKNOWN

Acanthium has leaves similar to the white thorn[above] with prickly abnormal growths, and on top

there is down similar to a spiders web. This is gatheredand made into one (or spun), and is similar to silk. Theroots and leaves of this (taken as a drink) help onetroubled with a painfully stiff neck.

3-19. AKANTHA ERPEKANTHA

SUGGESTED: Acantha vera, [Fuchs], Acanthus sativus, Acanthus mollis [Bauhin, Linnaeus], Acanthus spinosus,

— Bears Breeches

Acantha or herpacantha grows in gardens and moistrocky places. It has far broader, longer leaves than

lettuce, divided like those of eruca [2-170], somewhatdark, thick and smooth. It has a smooth stalk two feethigh, the thickness of a finger towards the top,surrounded all around by distances with certain longishlittle leaves (similar to little hives) of a hyacinth colour.From these the white seed grows out, somewhat long,yellowish, with a head similar to a thyrsus [wand]. Theroots underneath are viscous, mouldy, reddish and long.Applied, they are good for burns and dislocations. Takenin a drink they encourage urine and stop discharges ofthe bowels. They are good for tuberculosis of the lungs,hernia, and convulsions. It is also called melamphyllon,pasderota, acanthus topiaria, mamolaria, or craepula.

3-20. AKANTHA AGRIA

SUGGESTED: Acanthus spinosissimus — White-spined Akantha

The Romans call acantha sylvestris by the name of spinaagrestis. There is also a wild acantha, similar to carduus

nutans [musk thistle] — prickly, shorter than the gardenvariety that is cultivated. The root of this affects as manythings as the previous one.

384


Bears Breeches —Acanthus spinosus,

Acanthus mollis


385


Carthamus tinctorius


386


Dipsacus purpureus

from FUCHS — 1545

3-21. ANONIS

SUGGESTED: Anonis, Resta bovis, Remora aratri [Fuchs], Anonis spinosa [Bauhin], Ononis spinosa [Linnaeus]

— Spiny Restharrow

Anonis (also called ononis) has branches twentycentimetres long or more. It is shrubby, full of joints

with hollow wings, many round little heads, and smalllittle leaves, thin like the lentil, similar to those of rue[3-52, 3-53, 4-98] or lotus. It grows in meadows and issomewhat rough and sweet smelling, not smellingunseemly. It is preserved in brine before the pricklesemerge, and it is very pleasant. The branches have sharpstrong prickles that are similar to arrowheads. There is awhite root that is warming and reduces the intensity ofsymptoms. The bark of this (taken in a drink with wine)removes skin, breaks up urinary stones, and emarginates[removes the edge of] the scurf of ulcers. Boiled in posca[hot drinks] and used as a mouth rinse it soothestoothache, and a decoction of this (taken as a drink) isthought to cure haemorrhoids.

3-22. LEUKAKANTHA

SUGGESTED: Chrysanthemum leucacanthemum, Leucanthemum,[Bedevian] — Ox-eye Daisy, White Weed, Dog Daisy

Leucacantha has a root that is similar to cyprus [1-124] — bitter and strong — which is chewed to lessen

toothache. Three cups of a decoction (taken as a drinkwith wine) helps lung congestion that has lasted long,sciatica, hernia, and convulsions. The juice from the root(taken as a drink) does the same. It is also calledpolygonatum, or phyllon, others call it ischias, the Romanscall it gniacardus, and the Thuscans, alba spina.

3-23. TRAGAKANTHE

SUGGESTED: Astragalus tragacantha — Gum Tragacanth Plant,Goat’s Thorn

Tragacantha has a root that is broad and woodyappearing above the earth. From this low strong

387


branches emerge, spreading out. On them are manysmall thin leaves with prickles between hidden in theleaves — white, strong, upright. There is also atragacanth gum adhering to the root when it is cut. Thebest is transparent, smooth, slender, clean, andsomewhat sweet. It is able like [other] gums to close thepores. It is used for eye medicines, coughs, roughness ofthe arteries; and for dripping fluids in a linctus [syrup]with honey. It melts when put under the tongue. Ateaspoonful steeped in passum [raisin wine] is taken as adrink for pain of the kidneys and erosion of the bladder.Hart’s horn that has been burned and washed (or a littleallom scissile [5-123]) is also mixed with it.

3-24. ERUNGION

SUGGESTED: Eryngium, Iringus [Fuchs], Eryngium vulgare[Bauhin], Eryngium campestre [Linnaeus]

— Common Eryngo, Field Eryngo, Eryngium

Eryngium is one of the prickly plants. The new leavesare stored in brine and eaten as vegetables. They are

broad and rough in the circumference, and aromatic tothe taste. Growing bigger they become prickly at thefurthest points of the stalks, on the tops of which are littleround heads surrounded with very sharp prickles like astar, hard all around. The colour can be green, pale,white, or sometimes azure [blue]. The root is long, broad,black on the outside and white within, the thickness of abig finger or thumb. It is sweet smelling and aromatic,and grows in fields and rough places. It is able to warm,and expels urine and the menstrual flow. Taken as adrink it dissolves griping and gaseousness. It is good with wine for liver complaints, those bitten by venomouscreatures, and as an antidote for those who have taken adeadly drink. It is taken in a drink for the most part withone teaspoonful of pastinaca [3-59] seed. It is said thatused as a personal ornament or rubbed on someone itdissolves tubercles [growths]. The root (taken as a drinkwith honey water) cures tetanus and epilepsy. It is alsocalled erynge, eryneris, caryon, gorginium, hermium,origanum chlunium, myracanthum, or moly. The Egyptianscall it crobysus, the Magi, siserti, the Romans, capitulum

388


389


Eryngij

from FUCHS — 1545

390


Acanthus vera

from FUCHS — 1545

cardui, some, carterae, the Dacians, sicupnoex, theSpaniards, ciotocapeta, the Africans, cherdan, or herbamontana, and some, chida.

3-25. ALOE

SUGGESTED: Aloe [Fuchs], Aloe vulgaris [Bauhin], Aloe vera [Linnaeus] — Aloe

Aloe has a leaf almost like squill — thick, fat,somewhat broad near the stem, broken or

bow-backed behind, with short, thin prickles along thesides. It sends out a stalk similar to anthericum [3-122], hasa white flower, and seed similar to asphodelus [2-199]. Allof it has a strong scent and is very bitter to the taste. It hasonly one root like a stake. It grows abundantly andthickly in India, and the extracted juice is brought fromthere. It also grows in Arabia, Asia and certain sea-bordering places and islands as in Andros. This type isnot good for extracting juice, but suitable for closing open cuts, sores and wounds, pounded into small pieces andapplied. There is a thick kind of juice that is grainy, one ofwhich seems to have the purest substance, the othersimilar to liver. Choose the pure that is undeceitful,unstony, glittering, yellowish, brittle, like liver, easilymelted, and excels in bitterness. That which is black andhard to break, refuse. They counterfeit it with gum —which is noticed by the taste, the bitterness, the strengthof the smell, and because it does not fall into pieces (asmuch as the smallest crumb) squeezed in the fingers.Some mix acacia with it.

It is astringent, procures sleep, dries, thickens bodies,loosens the intestines, and cleans the stomach, twospoonfuls taken in a drink with cold water or warm milk.This amount with thirty grains weight of water (or oneteaspoonful of a drink) stops the spitting of blood andcleans jaundice. Swallowed with rosin (or taken eitherwith water or boiled honey) it loosens the bowels, butthree teaspoonfuls fully purges. Mixed with otherpurging medicines it makes them less hurtful to thestomach. Sprinkled on dry it heals wounds, and bringsboils to a scar and represses them. It effectively healsulcerated genitals, and heals the broken foreskin of boys.Mixed with sweet wine it cures the joints and cracks in

391


the perineum. It stops discharges of blood fromhaemorrhoids, brings pterygium [membrane on eye] to ascar, and takes away bruises and low blood pressure withhoney. It soothes rough skin, itchiness of the eye corners,and headaches, rubbed with vinegar and rosaceum [1-53]on the forehead and the temples. With wine it stops thehair falling off [alopecia]; and with honey and wine it isgood for the tonsils, as well as the gums and all sores inthe mouth. It is roasted for eye medicines in a clean,red-hot ceramic jar, turned continuously until it isroasted evenly. It is then washed, the sandy partseparated as useless, and the most fat and smooth taken.It is also called amphibion, eryngium, herminum, ortragoceros; the Romans call it aloa, and the Barbarians, aloe.

3-26. APSINTHION

SUGGESTED: Absinthium vulgare [Fuchs], Seriphium absinthium[in Sprague], Artemisia absinthium [Linnaeus] — Wormwood

NARCOTIC

Absinthium (also called bathypicron) is a well-knownherb, and the best grows in Pontus and Cappadocia

on the mountain called Taurus. It is warming, astringentand digestive, and takes away bilious matter sticking inthe stomach and bowels. It is urinary, and keeps one from overindulging taken as a drink beforehand. It is good(taken as a drink with seseli [3-60 to 3-62] or celtic nardus[1-7]) for gaseousness and pains in the intestines andstomach. Three cups of a dilution or decoction of it (takenevery day) heals lack of appetite and jaundice. Taken as adrink and applied with honey it expels the menstrualflow. It is good with vinegar for constrictions from[eating] mushrooms. It is an antidote given with wine for(the poison) of ixia [3-103] and hemlock, the bites of theshrewmouse, and bites of the sea dragon [2-15]. Withhoney and saltpetre [potassium nitrate] it is an ointmentfor a synanchic [abscessed] throat; and with water forpustules that appear at night. It is used for bruises withhoney, also for dullness of sight [eyes] and pus-filled ears. The vapour of a decoction is used for earache andtoothache. Boiled with passum [raisin wine] it is a plasterfor very painful eyes. It is also applied to hypochondria[nervous gastric disorder], the liver, a painful stomach,

392


393


Anonis

from FUCHS — 1545

394


Hysopus hortensis

from FUCHS — 1545

and [those] who have suffered long pounded togetherwith Cyprian [possibly rose] wax ointment, but for thestomach mix it with rosaceum [1-53]. It is good for dropsyand the spleen mixed with figs, saltpetre [potassiumnitrate] and meal of lolium [2-116, 4-140].

Especially around Propontis and Thrace a wine ismade from it which is called absinthe, which they use inthe absence of fever for the purposes previouslymentioned. They drink to each other with it in thesummer thinking it to cause health. It seems that placedin chests it keeps the garments uneaten [by moths].Rubbed on with oil it forbids the mosquitos to touch thebody [insect repellant]. Ink for writing that is made bysteeping it keeps writings from being eaten by mice. Itseems that the juice does the same work. We do not allow it in liquid medicines as it is bad for the stomach andcauses headaches. Some counterfeit the juice with boiledamurca [sediment of buckthorn oil]. The Egyptians call itsomi, and the Romans, absinthium rusticum.

3-27. APSINTHION THALASSION

SUGGESTED: Artemisia maritima, Artemisia pauciflora — Sea Wormwood, Garden Cypress, Sea Artemisia

Absinthium marinum (also called seriphion) growsabundantly in the Taurus Mountains around

Cappadocia and in Taphosiris, Egypt. The Isiaci use itinstead of an olive branch. The herb has thin branchessimilar to the small abrotanum [3-29] with abundant littleseeds, somewhat bitter, bad for the stomach, and with astrong smell. It is astringent with some heating, andboiled by itself (or with rice) and taken with honey it killsascaridae [threadworms] and roundworms, loosening thebowels gently. It does the same things with sapa [newwine syrup] or boiled together with lentils. Cattle growvery fat feeding on it [fodder]. It is also called sandonion,or seriphum; the Romans call it santonicum.

395


3-28. APSINTHION TRITONSANTONION

SUGGESTED: Artemisia santonicum — Holy Wormwood Artemisia glacialis — Silky Wormwood, Glacier Wormwood

There is a third kind of wormwood that growsabundantly in Galatia (or rather Gallia) near the Alps,

which they call by the place’s name — santonicum, givingit this surname from its growing in the country ofSardonis. It is similar to wormwood, not as seedy,somewhat bitter, and able to do the same things as theSeriphian [3-27].

3-29. ABROTONON

SUGGESTED: Abrotonum foemina [Fuchs], Absinthium ponticum[Bauhin], Artemisia pontica, Abrotanum mas [Linnaeus],

Artemisia abrotanum — Southernwood

The female abrotanum is a tree-like shrub, somewhatwhite, the leaves with little in-cuts (like those of

seriphium) around the branches, with a golden corymbus[flat or slightly convex inflorescence] on the top, full offlowers that display in the summer, with a sweet smell,and some strength, bitter in taste. This seems to be theSicilian. The other (called male) is full of sprigs, withslender seeds like wormwood. It grows abundantly inCappadocia, and Galatia in Asia, and Hierapolis in Syria.The seed of these (pounded raw, boiled, and taken in adrink of water) helps difficult breathing, hernia,convulsions, sciatica, difficult painful urination, and thestoppage of the menstrual flow. Taken in a drink of wineit is an antidote for deadly poisons. With oil it is anointment for those who have chills. It drives away snakesscattered under [foot] or inhaled as smoke. Taken in adrink of wine it helps those who are bitten. It isparticularly good for the strikes of the harvest spider andscorpions. It helps inflammation of the eyes applied withboiled quince or with bread. It dissolves pannus [opaquethickening of cornea with veins; eyes] pounded intosmall pieces and boiled with barley meal. It is also mixedin the composition of oil irinum [1-66]. It is also calledabutonon, absinthium, heraclion, cholopoeon, thelyphthorion,

396


397


Aloe umbellata


398


Pulegium foemina

from FUCHS — 1545

absinthiomenon, or procampylon. The Magi call it nervipalmae, some, cynanchites and the Romans, absinthiumponticum, and it is also called femineus frutex, and dulciscubitus.

3-30. USSOPOS

SUGGESTED: Hyssopus hortensis [Fuchs] Hyssopus officinalis [Linnaeus] — Hyssop

Origanum syriacum —Hyssop of the Bible [Mabberley]

Hyssopus (a well-known herb) is of two sorts — onemountainous, the other grown in gardens. The best

grows in Cilicia. It is able to reduce the intensity ofsymptoms and warms. Boiled with figs, water, honeyand rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98], and taken as a drink it helpspneumonia, asthma, internal coughs, mucus, andorthopnoea [type of asthma], and kills worms. Lickedwith honey it does the same. A decoction (taken as adrink with vinegar and honey) expels thick fluidsthrough the bowels. It is eaten with green figs (poundedinto small pieces) for emptying the intestines, but itpurges more forcibly mixed with cardamom, iris, or irio[irinum? 1-66]. It causes a good colour. It is daubed onwith figs and saltpetre [potassium nitrate] for the spleenand dropsy, but with wine for inflammation. Appliedwith warm water it dissolves bruises. With a decoction offigs it is an excellent gargle for a synanchic [abscessed]throat. Boiled with vinegar and used as a lotion it soothestoothache. The smoke being inhaled, it dissolveswindiness around the ears. The Latins call it hyssopum, itis also called later or cassiala, and the Egyptians call itpesalem.

3-31. STOICHAS

SUGGESTED: Stichas, Stichas arabica [Fuchs], Stoechas purpurea [Bauhin], Lavandula stoechas

— French Lavender, Spanish Lavender

Stoechas grows in the Islands of Galatia near Messaliacalled the Stoechades, which is how it got its name. It

is a herb with slender twigs and filaments similar tothyme, but longer-leaved, sharp to the taste, and

399


Lavandula stoechas

after WINKLER — 1891

somewhat bitter. A decoction of it (like hyssop [3-30]) isgood for disorders in the chest. It is useful mixed withantidotes. It is also called syncliopa, alcibiades, pancration orstyphonia; the Egyptians call it suphlo, the Magi, oculuspythonis, the Romans, schiolebina.

3-32. ORIGANOS ERAKLEOTIKE

SUGGESTED: Origanum heracleoticum [Loudon] — Winter-sweet Marjoram

Origanum heracleoticum (also called conila) has a leafsimilar to hyssop [3-30], and a tuft not of a round

shape but (as it were) divided, and on the tops of thesprigs, the seed, not thick. It is warming; as a result adecoction of it (taken as a drink with wine) is good forthose bitten by poisonous beasts. It is given as an antidote with passum [raisin wine] for those who have taken adrink of hemlock or meconium [4-65], and with vinegarand honey for those who have taken a drink of gypsumor ephemerum [4-85]. For convulsions, hernia, and dropsyit is eaten with a fig. It is dried and the amount of anacetabulum [vinegar cruet] taken in a drink with honeyand water to expel black (fluids) through the bowels.Licked in with honey it induces the menstrual flow andcures coughs. A decoction of it in a bath is good for prurigo[chronic itching], psoriasis and jaundice. The juice of thegreen herb cures tonsils, [inflammation of the] uvula, and apthae [aptha — infant thrush or candidiasis]. Dropped inwith oil irinum [1-66] it purges through the nostrils. Withmilk it also soothes earache. A vomitory medicine is made from it with onions and rhus [1-147], all of them beingsunned in the burning heat under the dog [in summer] in a brass copper jar for forty days. The herb scatteredunder[foot] expels snakes.

3-33. ORIGANOS ONITIS

SUGGESTED: Origanum onitis — Pot Marjoram

That which is called onitis is paler in the leaves,resembles hyssop [3-30] more, and has seed like

berries hanging together. It can do the same things as theHeracleotic [3-32]. Yet it is not altogether as effective.

400


401


Calaminthae genus

from FUCHS — 1545

402


Calaminthae tertium genus

from FUCHS — 1545

3-34. AGRIORIGANOS

SUGGESTED: Origanum sylvestre, Origanum vulgare [Fuchs],Origanum vulgare [Linnaeus] — Wild Marjoram, Organy

Origanum sylvestre has leaves similar to origanum,but the thin stems are twenty centimetres high, on

which are tufts similar to dill. The flowers are white; theroot thin, ineffective. The leaves and flowers (taken in adrink with wine) effectively help those bitten by snakes.It is also called panaces heraclion, others call it cunila, as well as nicander colophonius.

3-35. TRAGORIGANOS,TRAGORIGANOS ALLOS

SUGGESTED: Satureia thymbra, Thymus tragoriganum, Thymus graveolens, Micromeria thymbra — Savory of Crete,

Candian Savory

Tragoriganum is a little shrub similar to origanum orwild serpyllum [3-46] in its leaves and small branches.

Some is found that is more prosperous and broader-leaved, gluey enough, depending on the location.Another (which is also called prasium) has small shootsand thin leaves. The best is the Cilician and those in Co,Chios, Smyrna, and Crete. All are warming, urinary, andgood for the intestines (in a decoction taken as a drink)for they drive down depression. Taken in a drink withvinegar they are effective for the spleen, and are given asan antidote with wine for those who have taken a drinkof ixia [3-103]. They expel the menstrual flow, and aregiven as linctuses [syrups] with honey for coughs andpneumonia. A liquid medicine of it is mild; as a result it isgiven to the squeamish, for gastric [disorders], unsavoury belchers, and those who have seasickness, nausea andheartburn. It dissolves oedema applied with polenta.

403


3-36. GLECHON

SUGGESTED: Pulegium [Fuchs], Pulegium foemina [Brunfels],Pulegium latifolium [Bauhin], Mentha pulegium [Linnaeus],

Pulegium vulgare, Glechon [Latin] — Pennyroyal, Pudding Grass

Glechium (a well-known herb) reduces the intensity of symptoms and is warming and digestive. Taken as a

drink it expels the menstrual flow and the afterbirth, andis an abortifacient. Taken as a drink with salt and honey it brings up stuff out of the lungs and helps the convulsed. Taken as a drink with posca [hot drinks] it soothes nauseaand gnawing of the stomach. It draws out depressivematter through the intestines, and taken as a drink withwine it helps those bitten by snakes. Applied withvinegar to the nostrils it restores those who faint.Pounded dry and burnt, it strengthens the gums. Rubbed on with polenta it soothes all inflammation. By itself it isgood for gout (applied) until redness appears. With waxy ointments it extinguishes varos [smallpox pustules]. It isalso good for the spleen applied with salt. A decoctionsoothes itching washed on, and it is good as a bath forgaseousness, hardness, and inversions of the womb. It isalso called blechon because when cattle taste it at itsflowering time they are filled with bleating.

It is also called blechron, or arsenicanthon; the Romanscall it polium, the Africans, apoleium, the Gauls, albolon,and some, gallisopsis.

3-37. DIKTAMNON

SUGGESTED: Dictamnus albus, Dictamnus fraxinella — White Dittany, Gas Plant, Candle Plant, Fraxinella

Origanum dictamnus, Dictamnus creticus, Amaracus dictamnus— Dittany of Crete

Dictamnus is a Cretian herb — sharp, smooth, similarto pulegium [3-36]. It has bigger leaves, downy, with

a kind of woolly adherence, but it bears neither flowernor seed. It does all the things that the cultivated pulegiumdoes but much more forcibly, for not only taken as adrink but also applied and inhaled as smoke, it expelsdead embryos. They say that goats in Crete having fed on

404


405


Amaracus

from FUCHS — 1545

406


Calaminthae alterum genus

from FUCHS — 1545

the herb reject arrows if shot [wounds]. The juice rubbedon (alone or with polenta) is cleansing. The herb isapplied to cure prickles under the feet, or [on] the rest ofthe body. It is also effective for a painful spleen, for itlessens it. They gather it in the summer and the fall. Theroot warms those who taste it. It is also a birth-hastener,and the juice (taken as a drink with wine) helps thosebitten by snakes. Such is the strength of this herb thateven the smell drives away poisonous beasts, and thetouch kills them. The juice dropped into a wound causedby iron, or the bite of a poisonous beast (and as well asdropping it on, if it is taken in drink), immediately cures.

(Rub dried dictamnus in your hands until it is similar to meal, throw in a drop of wine and apply it to your body.It is good against all snakes. It first cleans ulcers androtten, gangrenous ulcerations, and then it fills them up.If one is pricked apply this to him and immediately youshall help him. Having made meal of it, apply it for thespleen and disorders from inflammation in hiddenplaces. Dig up the herb in the spring, the hot seasons, and in the autumn.) It is also called pulegium sylvestre,embactron, beluacos, artemedion, creticus, ephemeron, eldian,belotocos, dorcidium, or elbunium; the Romans call it ustilago rustica.

3-38. PSEUDODIKTAMNOS

SUGGESTED: Marrubium pseudodictamnus, Berringeria pseudodictamnus, Ballota pseudodictamnus

— White Horehound, Bastard Dittany

That which is called pseudodictamnus grows in manyplaces and is similar to the one above but less sharp.

It does the same things as dictamnus, but is not similarlyeffective.

407


3-39. DIKTAMNOS ALLO

SUGGESTED: Origanum dictamnus, Dictamnus creticus,Dictamnus albus, Dictamnus fraxinella, Amaracus dictamnus

— White Dittany, Gas Plant, Candle Plant, Fraxinella Origanum hirtum, Origanum creticum — Hairy Marjoram

Another kind of dictamnus is brought from Crete thathas leaves similar to sisymbrium [2-155], but with

bigger branches, and a flower similar to wild origanum — black and soft. The smell of the leaves is most pleasant,between sisymbrium and sage. It is effective for all things(as that above) but somewhat less biting. It is mixed withplasters and antidotal medicines.

3-40. ELELISPHAKON

SUGGESTED: Salvia maior, Salvia minor [Fuchs, Bauhin], Salvia officinalis [Linnaeus] — Sage

Helelisphacum is a much-branched somewhat longshrub, with four-square and somewhat white

stalks. The leaves are similar to malicottoon [1-160], yetlonger, sharper and thicker, hidden by filaments —whitish, especially odiferous and poisonous-smelling —like on outworn garments. The seed is on top of the stalkslike wild horminum [3-145]. It grows in rough places. Adecoction of the leaves and branches (taken as a drink) isable to induce movement of the urine and the menstrualflow, is an abortifacient, and helps the strikes of thepastinaca marina [2-22]. It dyes the hair black, is a woundherb and a blood-stauncher, and cleanses wild ulcers. Adecoction of the leaves and branches (with wine) appliedwith hot cloths soothes itchiness around the genitals.Elelisphacon dissolves chilliness and coughs and is goodused with rosaceum [1-53] and wax ointment for all badulcers. Taken as a drink with white wine it cures a painfulspleen and dysentery. Similarly, given to drink it curesbloodspitters, and is available for all cleansing for awoman, but the most wicked women (making a pessaryof it) apply it and use it as an abortifacient. It is also calledelaphoboscon, sphagnon, ciosmin, phagnon, or becion; theEgyptians call it apusi, the Romans, cosalon, and others,salvia.

408


409


Salvia maior

from FUCHS — 1545

410


Meliloti quartum genus

from FUCHS — 1545

3-41. EDUOSMOS EMEROS

SUGGESTED: Mentha sativa [Linnaeus], Mentha viridis— Common Mint, Spearmint, Whorled Mint

Mentha piperita — White Mint, Peppermint

Hedyosmus is a well-known little herb that iswarming, astringent, and drying. As a result the

juice of it (taken as a drink with vinegar) stops blood, killsroundworms, and encourages lust [aphrodisiac]. Two orthree little sprigs (taken in a drink with the juice of a sourpomegranate) soothe hiccups, vomiting, and bile.Applied with polenta it dissolves suppurations. Appliedto the forehead it eases headaches. It soothes the swelling and extension of the breasts, and with salt it is a poulticefor dog bites. The juice with honey and water helpsearache. Applied to women before sexual intercourse, itcauses inconception. Rubbed on, it makes a rough tongue smooth. It keeps milk from curdling if the leaves aresteeped in it. Finally, it is good for the stomach and fit forsauce. It is also called mentha; the Romans call it menta,some, nepeta, the Egyptians, tis, others call it pherthumer-thrumonthu, perxo, or macetho.

3-42. EDUOSMOS AGRIOS

SUGGESTED: Mentastrum [Fuchs], Mentastro [Italian], Mentha sylvestris, Mentha viridis, Mentha arvensis [Linnaeus],Mentha gentilis, Calamintha arvensis [Bauhin] — Wild Mint,

Horse Mint

[other usage] Mentastro [Italian], Marrubium vulgare — Common White Horehound

see 3-119

The wild hedyosmus (which the Romans callmentastrum) has rougher leaves, is altogether bigger

than sisymbrium [2-155], more poisonous to smell, andless suitable for use in health.

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3-43. KALAMINTHE

SUGGESTED: Calamintha tertium genus [Fuchs], Conyza media asteris [Bauhin], Inula dysenterica [Linnaeus],

Pulicaria dysenterica [in Sprague] — Fleabane

Calamintha nepeta, Nepeta cataria [Linnaeus]— Catmint,Catnip, Nep

Calamintha officinalis, Melissa calamintha — Common Calamint, Cat Mint

Some calamintha is more mountainous, and has whitish leaves similar to basil, with the sprigs and stalks

angular, and a purple flower. The other sort is similar topulegium [3-36] yet bigger, as a result some have called itpulegium agreste, because it also has a similar smell. TheRomans call this nepeta. The third sort is similar to wildmint, longer in the leaves, bigger than that previouslymentioned in the stalk and branch, and it is less effective.The leaves of all of them are strongly warming and sharpto the taste: the roots are not effective. It grows in plainfields and rough watery places. Taken as a drink (orapplied) it helps those bitten by snakes. A decoction(taken as a drink) induces the passing of urine, and helpshernia, convulsions, orthopnoea [form of asthma],griping, bile, and chills. Taken as a drink (beforehand)with wine it is an antidote against poisons and cleansaway jaundice. Pounded into small pieces (either boiledor raw) and taken as a drink with salt and honey it killsboth roundworms and threadworms. Eaten with thewhey of milk and taken as a drink (afterwards) it helpsthose with elephantiasis. The leaves pounded into smallpieces and given in a pessary are an abortifacient andexpel the menstrual flow. Inhaled as smoke or scatteredunderfoot it drives away snakes. Boiled in wine andapplied, it makes black scars white and takes awaybruises. It is applied to sciatica for a medicine to eliminatewaste or morbid matter, burning the outward skin. Thejuice is dropped in the ears to kill worms.

412


413


Peganum harmala

after TEGETMEYER — 1897

414


Melilotus officinalis


3-44. THUMOS

SUGGESTED:Thymus angustifolius, Thymus glaber — Wild Thyme, Mother of Thyme

Everyone knows thyme. It is a little shrub full ofbranches surrounded with many narrow little leaves,

and little heads with flowers resembling purple on thetop. It grows chiefly in rocky and barren places. Taken asa drink with salt and vinegar it is able to drive outphlegmy matter through the bowels. A decoction withhoney helps orthopnoea [form of asthma] and theasthmatic, expels worms and the menstrual flow, is anabortifacient, expels the afterbirth, and is urinary. Mixedwith honey and taken as a linctus [syrup] it makes mattercome up [vomitory]. Applied with vinegar it dissolvesnew swellings and clots of blood, and takes away thymos[hormonal glandular enlargement] and hanging warts.Applied with wine and polenta it is good for hip pains.Eaten with meat it is good for poor vision. It is goodinstead of sauce for use in health. It is also called whitethyme, cephalotus, epithumis, or thyrsium; the Romans callit thymus, the Egyptians, stephane, and the Dacians,mozula.

3-45. THUMBRA

SUGGESTED: Sisymbrium [Pliny] see 2-155, Serpyllum sylvestre[Fuchs], Serpyllum vulgare minus [Bauhin], Thymus serpyllum

[Linnaeus] — Creeping Thyme, Wild Thyme, Mother of Thyme

Thymbra is also well known. It grows in barren andrough places — similar to thyme, only smaller and

more tender, and bearing a stalk full of flowers of agreenish colour. It can do the same things as thyme(taken the same way) and it is suitable for use in health.There is also a cultivated satureia, of less value ineverything than the wild, yet more effective for meat[sauce] because it does not have as much sharpness.

415


3-46. ERPULLOS, ERPULLOS ZOGIS

SUGGESTED: Thymus, Serpyllum romanum [Fuchs], Thymus vulgaris [Linnaeus] — Garden Thyme,

Potherb Thyme

Herpyllum is the garden kind, similar to sampsuchum[3-47] in smell, and used for making wreaths for the

head. It is so-called from its creeping, and because if anypart of it touches the earth, there it roots. It has leaves and small branches similar to origanum, yet whiter. Traileddown from unmortared walls it becomes more abundant. The other is wild and is called zygis — not creeping butupright, sending out thin branches full of sprigs,surrounded with leaves similar to rue, yet they arenarrow, longer, and harder. The flower is sharp to thetaste, sweet to the smell, the root useless. It grows onrocks, being stronger and hotter than the garden kindand more suitable for medicinal use. Taken in a drink itexpels the menstrual flow and causes an urge to urinate.It helps griping, hernia, convulsions, inflammation of theliver and snakebites taken as a drink and applied. Boiledwith vinegar (with rosaceum [1-53] mixed in there) andthe head moistened with it, soothes headaches. It isespecially good for lethargy and frenzy. Fourteaspoonfuls of the juice (taken as a drink with vinegar)stop the vomiting of blood. It is also called zygis sylvestris,or polion, the Egyptians call it meruopyos, the Romans,serpyllum, others, cicer erraticum.

3-47. SAMPSUCHON

SUGGESTED: Sampsuchum, Sampsucum, Origanum majorum[Pliny], Amaracus, Maiorana [Fuchs], Majorana vulgaris

[Bauhin], Origanum majorana [Linneaus], Origanum majoranoides, Majorana hortensis

— Sweet Marjoram, Knotted Marjoram

The best sampsuchum is the Cyzicenian and theCyprian, but the Egyptian is second to this. It is a

herb with many branches that creeps along the earth,with round rough leaves similar to thin-leaved calamint,very fragrant and heating. It is plaited into wreaths forthe head. A decoction (taken as a drink) is good for those

416


417


Aethusa cynapium, Apium rusticum

Lesser Hemlock or Fool’s Parsley

POISONOUS


418


Ruta graveolens


who are beginning to have dropsy, and for frequentpainful urination, and griping. The dry leaves aresmeared on with honey to take away bruises. In a pessary they drive out the menstrual flow; and they are rubbedon with salt and vinegar for the strike of a scorpion. Fordislocations and oedema they are applied with a waxointment. They are rubbed on with flour of polenta forinflammation, and mixed with medications to removefatigue, and with softening medicines for warmth’s sake.The Cyzicenians and those in Sicily call it amaracum. It isalso called trifolium, amaracum, agathides, cnecion, oracapnon; Pythagoras calls it thrambes, the Egyptians, sopho, the Armenians, myurum, the Magi call it the ass of thepriest, others, genitura Isidis, and the Romans, maiorana.

3-48. MELILOTOS

SUGGESTED: Melilotus italica, Meliloti quartum genus [Fuchs],Trifolium melilotus corniculata [Linnaeus],

Trigonella corniculata, Trigonella elatior — Wild Trefoil

[other usage] Melilotus officinalis, Melilotus arvensis, Corona regia, Trifolium melilotus officinalis — Honey Lotus,

King’s Clover, Melilot

The best melilotus is the Attic [Athenian] and thatwhich grows in Chalcedon — similar to saffron, with

a sweet scent. It also grows in Campania around Nola,inclining to yellow, and weak regarding the sweet smell.

It is a powerful astringent, and boiled with passum[raisin wine] and applied, softens all inflammation —especially that around the eyes, womb, buttocks andanus, and the stones [testicles]. Sometimes the roastedyolk of an egg is mixed with it, or the meal of fenugreek,hemp seed, wheat flour, the heads of poppies, or intybus[2-160]. Used alone in water it also cures new melicerides[encysted tumour with honey-like exudation], as well asscaly eruptions on the scalp, rubbed on with Chian [fromScios in the Aegean sea] earth and wine or galls [oakgalls]. For pain in the stomach boil it with wine or use itraw with some of the things previously mentioned.Juiced raw and dropped in the ears with passum [raisinwine] it eases earache, and when let fall on [the head]gently with vinegar and rosaceum [1-53] it soothes

419


headaches. It is also called zoodotion, and ortamon, or, bythe Magi, thermuthin; the Egyptians call it haemith, and the Romans, sertula, or trypatium.

3-49. MARON

SUGGESTED: Teucrium marum — Marum Germander, Cat Thyme

Marum or hysobrium is a well-known herb full ofsprigs, similar in the flower to origanum, but the

leaves of this are much paler, and the flower sweeter. Ithas abilities similar to sisymbrium [2-155] — somewhatastringent and gently heating. Applied, it stopsgangrenous ulceration, and it is mixed with the hotingredients of compound ointments. It grows inabundance both near Magnesia and near Tralles. It is alsocalled origanis.

3-50. AKINOS

SUGGESTED: Thymus acinos, Ocimum pilosum, Acinos vulgaris — Acinos

see 3-109, 4-28, 4-176

Acinus or aconus is a herb with a small stalk used inmaking wreaths for the head, similar to basil but

rougher. It has a sweet scent, and is also sown in gardensby some. Taken as a drink it stops discharges of theintestines, and the menstrual flow. Applied, it heals bothpannus [opaque thickening of cornea with veins] anderysipela [streptococcal skin infection]. It is also calledbasilicum sylvestre, and the Romans call it ocimastrum.

3-51. BAKCHARIS

SUGGESTED: Baccharis, Conyza dioscoroidis, Baccharis dioscorides — Bacchar [Bedevian],

Ploughman’s Spikenard

Baccharis now applied to an American genus of Compositae.

Baccharis is a herb with many stalks and a sweet scent.It is used to make wreaths for the head. The leaves

420


Baccharis aphylla


421


Ammi

from FUCHS — 1545

422


Origanum sylvestre

from FUCHS — 1545

are sharp, in size between the violet and verbascum[4-104]; the stalk angular, a foot in height, somewhatsharp, with suckers. The flowers are a purple colour,whitish and sweet smelling, and the roots are similar tothose of black veratrum [4-151], and similar in smell tocinnamon. It loves rough, dry places. Boiled in water theroot helps convulsions, hernia, falls from on high, hardbreathing, obstinate coughs, and painful urination. Itexpels the menstrual flow, and is usefully given withwine to those bitten by snakes. One of the tender roots(applied as a pessary) is an abortifacient, and a decoctionof it is good for bathing women in childbirth. It is good inscented powders, having a very fragrant smell. Theleaves are astringent, and are applied to help headaches,inflammation of the eyes, ulcers of the eyes as they begin,breasts inflamed from childbearing, and erysipela[streptococcal skin infection]. The smell is sleep-inducing.

3-52. PEGANON TO KEPAION,PEGANON TO OREINON

SUGGESTED: Peganum harmala — Wild Rue, Syrian Rue,Harmel

Ruta angustifolia, Ruta chalepensis — Aleppo Rue, Syrian Rue Ruta hortensis [Fuchs, Bauhin], Ruta graveolens [Linnaeus]

— Common Rue, Herb of Grace

CAUTION — ALLERGIC REACTIONS— OVERDOSE TOXIC OR FATAL

see 3-53, 4-98

Mountainous wild rue is sharper than the tame orgarden rue and unfit for eating. Of the garden

kind the fittest for eating grows near fig trees. Both aresharp, warming, ulcerating, diuretic, and bring out themenstrual flow. Eaten (or taken as a drink) they areastringent to the bowels. An acetabulum [vinegar cruet] ofthe seed (taken as a drink in wine) is an antidote fordeadly medicines. The leaves eaten (beforehand) bythemselves or with carya [1-178] or dry figs make poisonsineffective. The same is taken against snakebites, andeither eaten or taken as a drink it extinguishes conception [abortifacient]. Boiled with dried dill and taken as a drinkit stops griping. It is good taken as a drink for pain in thesides of the chest, hard breathing, coughs, lung

423


inflammation, pains in the hips and joints, and periodicalchills (as previously mentioned). For gaseousness of thecolus [colic], vulva, rectum, and intestines it is boiled withoil and given as a suppository. Pounded into small pieceswith honey and applied from the genitals to theperineum, it also cures constriction of the womb. Boiledin oil and taken as a drink it expels worms. It is appliedwith honey for painful joints, and with figs for dropsyunder the skin. Boiled in wine until half the amountremains then taken as a drink (and also rubbed on) ithelps these [problems] also. Eaten raw or pickled it is asight-restorer, and applied with polenta it soothes painsin the eyes. Pounded fine and applied with rosaceum[1-53] and vinegar it helps headaches and stops bloodydischarges from the nostrils. Applied with bay leaves ithelps inflammation from stones [urinary, kidney]. Withmyrtle wax ointment it helps rashes such as measles.Rubbed on all over with wine, pepper and saltpetre[potassium nitrate] it heals white vitiligo [type of leprosy], and applied with the same things it takes away wartyabnormal growths and myrmecias [warts resembling ananthill]. Applied with honey and allom [5-123] it is goodfor lichenae [skin disease]. The juice warmed in apomegranate rind and dropped in the ears is good for earsores. Rubbed on with juice of marathrum [3-81] andhoney it helps dullness of sight. Rubbed on with vinegar,cerussa [white lead ore] and rosaceum [1-53] it cureserysipela [streptococcal skin infection], herpes [viral skininfection], and scaly eruptions on the scalp. Chewed, itstops the bad smells that come [from eating] garlic andonions. It is also called rhyten montana; the Romans call itruta montana or ruta hortense, the Egyptians, epnubu, theSyrians, harmala, some, besasa and the Africans, churma.

The hilly rue kills, eaten too much. Gathered aroundflowering time for pickling it makes the skin red, andpuffs it up with itching and extreme inflammation.Theyought, having first rubbed [protection on] the face andthe hands, so to gather it. They say that the juicesprinkled on chicken keeps off the cats. They say thateaten, the rue that grows in Macedonia by the riverHaliacmon kills; but that place is mountainous and full ofvipers. Taken in a drink the seed is good for disorderswithin, and it is usefully mixed with antidotes. Havingdried the seed, give it to drink for seven days to one whosheds his water [dehydration] and it shall cease. The root

424


425


Hieracium minus

from FUCHS — 1545

426


Coriandrum sativum


of it is called mountain moly. The wild rue therefore issimilar to the cultivated, and it is good (taken in a drink)for epilepsy and pains in the hips. It induces themenstrual flow and is an abortifacient. It is sharper thanthe cultivated and more effective in use. But you mustnot eat the wild because it is hurtful.

Ruta sylvestris is also called hypericon, androsaemon,corion, or chamepitys; the Romans call it hederalis, others,sentinalis, and the Africans, churma semmaked.

3-53. PEGANON AGRION

SUGGESTED: Ruta montana, Ruta legitima, Ruta sylvestris — Wild Rue, Mountain Rue

Thalictrum aquilegifolium — Meadow Rue Galega officinalis — Common Goat’s Rue

Asplenium ruta-muriara — Wall Rue Peganum harmala — Wild Rue, Syrian Rue, Harmel

see 3-52, 4-98

Some call ruta sylvestris (both that in Cappadocia andthat in Galatia near Asia) moly. It is a shrub that brings

out many shoots from one root, with much longer moretender leaves than the other rue. It has a strong scent andwhite flowers, and on the top, little heads a little biggerthan the cultivated rue, consisting especially of threeparts, in which is a three-cornered seed of a faint yellow,extremely bitter to the taste. Use is made of this. The seedripens in the autumn. Pounded into small pieces withhoney, wine, the gall of hens, saffron, and marathrum[3-81] juice it is good for dullness of the sight.

It is also called harmala; the Syrians call it besasa, theEgyptians, epnubu, Africans, churwa and theCappadocians, moly, because in some ways it is similar tomoly (having a black root and white flowers) and it growsin hilly fertile places.

3-54. MOLU

SUGGESTED: Allium moly — Wild Garlic Allium magicum [Loudon] — Homer’s Moly

Moly has leaves similar to grass (but broader) on theground; flowers similar to white violets, a milky

427


colour, less in quantity than those of the violet. It has awhite stalk of four feet, on the top of which standssomething similar to garlic. The root is small, in the shapeof a scallion [2-179]. This is very good, pounded withflour of lolium [2-116, 4-140] and inserted as a pessary foropenings of the womb. The herb moly (cut up by the rootand carried around the body) is good against poisoningand bewitching. It is also called leucoion sylvestre.

3-55. PANAKES HERAKLEION

SUGGESTED: Heracleum panaces — Fig-leaved Cow Parsnip Heracleum sphondylium — Common Cow Parsnip

Heracleum gummiferum, Heracleum pubescens, Heracleum pyrenaicum — Downy Cow Parsnip

Panances heracleum (from which opopanax is gathered)grows in abundance in Boeotia, and Psophis in

Arcadia. It is carefully cultivated in gardens for thebenefit that comes from the juice. It has rough greenleaves lying on the ground, coming very near to those ofthe fig, jagged five-fold in the circumference. It has a very high stalk (like a ferula) with white down and smallerleaves around it, and a long tuft on the top like dill. It hasyellowish flowers. The seed smells sweet and acrid. Themany white strong-smelling roots emerge from onebeginning, with thick bark and a somewhat bitter taste. Italso grows in Cyrene, Libya, and in Macedonia. The rootis juiced after being cut when the stalks are newly-emerged. It sends out a white juice that, dried, has asaffron colour on the outside. To remove the liquid fromthe leaves they lay them beforehand on a hollow dug inthe ground and pick them up them when dry. They alsojuice the stalk, cutting it at harvest time and taking outthe liquid the same way. The best roots are stretched out,white, dry, not worm-eaten, hot to the taste, andaromatic. The seed that comes from the middle of thestalk is good, for that which comes from the sprigs is lessnourished. The [dried] juice that excels is the most bitterto the taste, inside indeed white and somewhat red, butoutside a saffron colour, smooth, fat, brittle, fit for use,melting quickly, and with a strong scent; but the blackand soft is worthless as it is adulterated with ammoniacum[3-98] or wax. Being rubbed in water with the fingers tests

428


429


Eleoselinum

from FUCHS — 1545

430


Careum

from FUCHS — 1545

it, for the counterfeited dissolves and becomes similar tomilk. It is warming and softening, and reduces theintensity of symptoms. As a result, taken as a drink withhoney and water (or wine) it is good for periods of acutefevers and chills, convulsions, hernia, pains in the side,coughs, griping, parasitic diseases in the bladder, andslow painful urination. Dissolved with honey it inducesthe menstrual flow, is an abortifacient, and scattersgaseousness and hardness in the womb. It is an ointmentfor hip pains. It is mixed with [medicines for] removal offatigue, and with head medicines. It breaks carbuncles allaround, and rubbed on with raisin clusters it is good forgout. It soothes toothache put into tooth cavities, and isrubbed on as a sight-restorer for the eyes. Mixed withpitch it is an excellent plaster for those bitten by maddogs, and the root shaved and applied to the vulva is anabortifacient. Pounded into small pieces and rubbed onwith honey it is effective for old ulcers, and applied itcovers exposed bones with flesh. The seed (taken withwormwood [3-26]) induces the menstrual flow, and witharistolochia [3-4, 3-5, 3-6] it is good for the bites ofpoisonous beasts. It is taken as a drink with wine forconstriction of the womb.

3-56. PANAKES ASKLEPION

SUGGESTED: Asclepias syriaca — Milkweed, Silkweed Thapsia asclepium [Loudon] — Deadly Carrot

POISONOUS — Aesculapius is the god of medicine — see 3-106

Panaces Aesculapij sends a thin stalk of a foot’s length (distinguished by knots) out of the earth, around

which are leaves similar to marathrum [3-81], yet bigger,rougher, and fragrant; and on the top is a tuft on whichare sharp, fragrant flowers of a golden colour. The root issmall. The flowers and seeds applied pounded into smallpieces with honey, have a medicinal quality suitable forulcers, pannus [opaque thickening of cornea with veins],and spreading ulcers. For snakebites it is taken as a drinkwith wine and rubbed on with oil. Some call [this] panaceswild origanum, some again call it cunila (where it isreferred to in the section on origanum).

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3-57. PANAKES CHEIRONION

SUGGESTED: Opopanax chironium, Ferula opopanax, Laserpitium chironium — Opopanax, Heal-all

Chiron was a centaur, teacher of Aesculapius [see above].

Panaces Chironion grows chiefly on the mountainPelius. It has leaves similar to amaracus [white

dittany], gold flowers, and a slender shallow root that issharp to the taste. Taken in a drink the root is able to actagainst snakes’ poison; and the filaments are also appliedeffectively for the same purposes.

3-58. LIGUSTIKON

SUGGESTED: Ligusticum ajwain, Ammi copticum, Carum copticum, Ptychotis coptica, Sison ammi, Ptychotis ajawain,

Bunium copticum — Ammi, Bishop’s Weed, Lovage, Ajava Seeds

see 3-70

Ligusticum grows most plentifully in Liguria on theApennine, a hill bordering on the Alps (from which it

has its name). The inhabitants call it panaces not withoutreason since the root and the stalk are similar to theHeracleotic [3-55] panaces, and their strength is the same.It grows on the highest, roughest, shadowy mountains,but especially in places dug in the earth. It bears a thinknotty stalk similar to dill, around which are leavessimilar to those of melilot [3-48], yet more tender andfragrant. Those near the top stalk are more slender andcut-in. On the top is a tuft on which is the seed — black,sound, somewhat long, like that of marathrum [3-81], butsharp and aromatic to the taste. The root is white, similarto the Heracleotic panaces, fragrant.

The seed and roots are heating and digestive. Theyare good for internal pains, digestion, oedema,gaseousness, disorders of the stomach (especially), andstrikes from poisonous beasts. Taken in a drink it makesurine pass, as well as the menstrual flow. The rootapplied does the same. The roots and the seed areeffective mixed with oxypota [oxymel — vinegar andhoney drink] and digestive medicines. It is excellent for

432


433


Hipposelinum

from FUCHS — 1545

434


Apium hortense

from FUCHS — 1545

the stomach; as a result the inhabitants use it instead ofpepper, mixing it with their sauces. A certain seed similarto it, which you shall discern by the taste, for it is bitter,counterfeits it. Some counterfeit it mixing together with it the seed of fennel or seseli. It is also called panacea orpanaces.

3-59. STAPHULINOS AGRIOS,STAPHULINOS KEPAIOS

SUGGESTED: Staphylinum [Pliny], Pastinaca sativa prima,Pastinaca erratica, Carota [Fuchs], Daucus officinarum [Bauhin],

Daucus carota var sativa [Linnaeus] — Carrot

Daucus carota var sylvestris — Wild Carrot

Staphylinum has leaves like gingidium, only broaderand somewhat bitter. It has a rough upright stalk

with a tuft similar to dill on which are white flowers, andin the midst something small of a purple colour and ofalmost a saffron colour. The root is the thickness of afinger, twenty centimetres long, sweet smelling andedible (boiled as a vegetable). The seed induces themenstrual flow, taken as a drink (or inserted as apessary), and is good in liquid medicines for frequentpainful urination, dropsy, and pleurisy, as well as for thebites and strikes of venomous creatures. They also saythat those who take it beforehand shall experience noassault from wild beasts. It encourages conception. Theroot (also being urinary) is applied to stir up sexualintercourse [aphrodisiac]. The leaves, pounded into small pieces with honey and applied, clean ulcers that spread.The garden pastinaca is fitter to be eaten, and is good forthe same purposes, working more weakly. It is also calledcerascomen; the Romans call it carota, some pastinacarustica, the Egyptians, babiburu, and the Africans sicham.

435


3-60. SESELI MASSALEOTIKON

SUGGESTED: Seseli massiliense [Fuchs], Gingidium umbella oblonga [Bauhin], Daucus visagna

[Linnaeus], Ammi visagna [in Sprague], Daucus visagna — Pick-tooth, Tooth Pick

Seseli Massiliense has leaves similar to marathrum [3-81]yet thicker, and it has a stalk more full of branches. It

has a tuft similar to dill, in which is a seed — somewhatlong, angular, and quickly sharp if eaten. The root is longwith a sweet scent. The seed and root are warming: takenas a drink they cure slow painful urination andorthopnoea [form of asthma]. They are good for urinaryconstriction and epilepsy, induce the menstrual flow, areabortifacient, and are effective for all disorders within.They cure old coughs, and taken as a drink with wine theseed helps digestion and dissolves griping. It is also goodfor cooling [sudden] fevers, and is taken as a drink withpepper and wine for chills in childbirth. It is given togoats and other cattle as a drink for hastening delivery. Itis also called sphagnon.

3-61. SESELI AITHIOPIKON

SUGGESTED: Dauci alterum genus, Seseli aethiopicum [Fuchs],Libanotis latifolia altera [Bauhin], Laserpitium latifolium

[Linnaeus] — Broad-leaved Laserwort [Loudon]

Ethiopian seselis has leaves similar to cissus [2-210] yetsmaller and somewhat long, similar to those of

periclymenom. It is a large shrub with branches of abouttwo feet, on which are stems eighteen inches long. Thelittle heads are like dill; the seeds black, thick like wheat,yet sharper and more fragrant than the Massaleotican[3-60], and very sweet. It produces similar effects. TheEgyptians call it cyonophricen.

436


437


Daucus carota


438


Levisticum

from FUCHS — 1545

3-62. SESELI PELOPONNESIAKON

SUGGESTED: Dauci tertium genus, Seseli Peloponnesiacum[Fuchs], Peucedanum cervaria [in Sprague],

Daucus montanus apii [Bauhin], Athamanta cervaria [Linnaeus]— Hog Fennel, Wild Celery

That which grows in Peloponnesus has leaves similarto hemlock but broader and thicker, and a stalk

bigger than the Massiliense [3-60], similar to a ferula. Onthe top of this is a broad tuft, in which is a broader seedwith a sweet scent and more fleshy. It has the samestrength [as those above]. It grows in rough, moist andhilly places. It also grows in Ida.

3-63. TORDULION

SUGGESTED: Daucus creticus, Tordylon, Seseli creticum [Fuchs],Athemanta meum [Linnaeus], Aethusa meum,

Meum athemanticum [in Sprague], Athemanticum meum, Seseli meum — Bald-money, Meu, Spignel, Bear Root

see 1-3

[other usage] Tordyilum suaveolens, Pastinaca dissecta, Pastinaca schekakul — Rough Parsnip

Tordylium officinale — Small Hartwort Tordylium maximum— Hartwort

formerly included in genus Seseli

Tordylium grows on the hill Amanus in Cilicia. It is alittle herb full of shoots, with a little round double

seed similar to little shields, somewhat sharp andaromatic. It is taken in a drink for painful urination, andto expel the menstrual flow. The juice from the stalk andseed (while yet green) taken as a drink for ten days withas much as thirty grains of passum [raisin wine], makesany kidney disease sound. The root is licked in withhoney to draw up matter that stops the chest. It is alsocalled tordylum, while others call it creticum.

439


3-64. SISON

SUGGESTED: Sison amomum, Sium amomum, Sium aromaticum— Hedge Sison, Bastard Stone Parsley

Sison is a little seed similar to apium [3-77] that grows inSyria — somewhat long, black, with an acrid taste. It

is taken in a drink for the spleen, painful urination, andretention of the menstrual flow. The inhabitants use it fora sauce, eating it with cucurbita [2-164] boiled withvinegar. It has (as it were) many little grains on the tops.

3-65. ANISON

SUGGESTED: Anisum herbariis [Bauhin], Pimpinella anisum[Linnaeus], Anisum vulgare, Tragium anisum — Anise,

Sweet Cumin, Aniseed Plant

Anisum is generally warming, drying, pain-easing,dissolving, urinary, dispersing, and it makes the

breath sweet. Taken in a drink it takes away thirst causedby dropsy. It is also good for removing the poison ofvenomous creatures, and gaseousness. It stopsdischarges of the intestines and white excessivedischarges, draws down milk, and incites sexual union[aphrodisiac]. Inhaled by the nostrils it quietensheadaches, and pounded into small pieces and droppedin the ears with rosaceum [1-53], it heals cracks in them.The best is new, full, not branny and strongly scented.The Cretian claims the first place, and the second is theEgyptian. It is also called sion, and the Romans call itanisum.

3-66. KAROS

SUGGESTED: Caros, Careum [Fuchs], Carum carvi [Linnaeus],Apium carvi, Bunium carum — Caraway

Carum is a well-known little seed. It is urinary,warming, good for the stomach, pleasant to the

mouth and digestive. It is mixed usefully in antidotes and oxypota [oxymel — vinegar and honey drink]. It has much the same nature as anisum [3-65]. The boiled root is edibleas a vegetable (like parsnip).

440


441


Spina alba sylvestris

from FUCHS — 1545

442


Brooklime Veronica beccabunga


3-67. ANETHON

SUGGESTED: Anethum hortense [Bauhin]Anethum graveolens [Linnaeus], Peucedanum graveolens,

Selinum athenum, Pastinaca athenum — Dill

Anethum is eaten as a vegetable. A decoction of thedried filaments and the seed (taken as a drink)

draws down milk, soothes griping and gaseousness, andstops both the intestines and the vomit that floats on topof the stomach; it makes urine pass, it stops hiccups, andtaken too often as a drink it both dulls the sight andextinguishes conception [abortifacient]. A decoction isgood as a bath for women troubled with womb disorders. The seed (burnt and sprinkled on) takes away venerealwarts. It is also called polgidos or anicetum; the Magi call itgenitura cynocephali; similarly, crines cynocephali, orgenitura Mercurij. The Egyptians call it arachu, theRomans, anethum, the Africans, sicciria, and the Dacians,poltum.

3-68. KUMINON AGRION

SUGGESTED: Cuminum cyminum, Cuminum odoratum — Cumin

Cumin is cultivated. It has a good taste, especially theEthiopian which Hippocrates called the kingly, next

the Egyptian, and then the rest. It grows in Galatia, Asia,Cilicia, the region of Tarentum and many other places. Itis hot, astringent, and drying. It is good boiled with oiland given as a suppository (or applied with barley meal)for griping and gaseousness. It is also given with posca[hot drinks] for orthopnoea [difficult breathing], andwith wine to those bitten by venomous creatures.Applied with raisins and bean flour (or waxy ointments)it helps inflammation from stones [urinary, kidney].Pounded into small pieces with vinegar it is applied tostop women’s excessive discharges [menstrual flow] andbleeding from the nostrils. It also changes the skin to apaler colour either taken in a drink or smeared on.

443


3-69. KUMINON EMERON

SUGGESTED: Lagoëcia cuminoides — Common Wild Cumin

Cuminum sylvestre grows in Lycia, Galatia in Asia, andCarthage in Spain. These are the most effective. It is

a little shrub with a thin stalk twenty centimetres long, on which are four or five little leaves (as it were) sawn-around with incisions (like gingidium [2-167]). It has fiveor six little round, soft heads on the top, in which is thehusky seed, sharper to the taste than the cultivated. Itgrows in hilly places. The seed is taken in a drink withwater for griping and gaseousness. With vinegar itsoothes hiccups. It is taken with wine for the poison ofvenomous creatures and moisture of the stomach.Chewed and applied with honey and grapes it takesaway bruises. Applied with the same [things] it curesinflammation from stones [urinary, kidney]. There is alsoanother kind of wild cumin similar to the cultivated. Outof every flower it sends out little horns lifted up in whichis the seed (similar to melanthium [3-93]). Taken in a drinkthis is an excellent remedy for those bitten by snakes. Ithelps those troubled with slow painful urination andstones [urinary, kidney], and those who urinate drops ofblood. Afterwards let them drink boiled apium [3-77]seeds. The Romans call it cuminum agreste, and some call it cuminum silvaticum.

3-70. AMMI

SUGGESTED: Ammi majus [Bauhin, Linnaeus] — Bishop’s Weed, Amee see 3-58

[other usage] Aegopodium podagraria — Ammi [1551], Herb Gerard, Bishop’s Weed, Goutweed, Ground Elder

Ammi is a well-known little seed, smaller than cumin,and similar to origanum in the taste. Choose seed

that is pure and not branny. This is warming, acrid anddrying. It is good (taken in a drink with wine) for griping,difficult painful urination, and those bitten by venomouscreatures. It induces the menstrual flow. It is mixed withcorrosive medicines made of dried beetles [2-65] to resistthe difficult painful urination that follows. Applied withhoney it takes away bruises around the eyes. Taken

444


Lagoecia cuminoides

after THIEBAULT - 1881

445


Aparine

from FUCHS — 1545

446


Heracleum sphondylium


either as a drink or smeared on it changes the [skin] to apaler colour; and soaked with raisins or rosin it cleans thevulva. The Romans call it ammium Alexandrinum. It is alsocalled Aethiopicum, or regium cuminum, but some havesaid that the Ethiopian cumin has one nature and theammi another.

3-71. KORIANNON

SUGGESTED: Coriandrum [Fuchs], Coriandrum majus [Bauhin] Coriandrum sativum — Coriander

POSSIBLE ALLERGIC REACTIONS

Corion or coriannum is well known. It is able to cool. Asa result (applied with bread or polenta) it heals

erysipela [streptococcal skin infection] and creepingulcers. With honey and raisins it cures epinyctis [pustuleswhich appear only at night], inflammation from stones[urinary, kidney], and carbuncles [infected boils][malignant skin tumours]. With bruised beans it dissolves scrofulous tumours [goitres] and the inflammation ofbones. A little of the seed (taken as a drink with passum[raisin wine]) expels worms and promotes the creation ofseed [sperm]. If too much is taken it disturbs theunderstanding dangerously, as a result men ought toavoid the excessive and frequent use of it. The juicerubbed on with cerussa [white lead ore] or litharge[monoxide of lead], vinegar and rosaceum [1-53] mendsburning inflammation on the outside of the skin. TheEgyptians call it ochion, and the Africans, goid.

3-72. IERAKION MEGA

SUGGESTED: Hieracium maius, Sonchites [Fuchs],Sonchus arvensis [Linnaeus] — Corn Sowthistle

[other usage] Hieracium sylvaticum, Hieracium murorum— Wood Hawkweed, Wall Hawkweed

The great hieracium produces a rough stalk —somewhat red, prickly, hollow. It has thinly-jagged

leaves at distances, similar in circumference to sonchus[2-159]; and yellowish flowers in somewhat long littleheads. It is cooling, indifferent, and gently astringent. As

447


Hieracium majus

from FUCHS — 1545

a result it is good applied on a burning stomach, and forinflammation. The juice is sipped to soothe pangs ofhunger in the stomach. The herb (with the root) isapplied to help one bitten by a scorpion. It is also calledsonchiten; the Romans call itlampuca, and the Africans,sithileas.

3-73. IERAKION MIKRON

SUGGESTED: Hieraceum minus [Fuchs], Crepis tectorum[Linnaeus] — Hawksbeard [Mabberley]

[other usage] Hieracium pilosella — Mouse-ear Hawkweed

The little hieracium also has jagged leaves at distances.It sends out tender little green stalks on which are

yellow flowers in a circle. It has the same uses as thatpreviously spoken of [3-72]. Some call this sonchiten,others, entimon agrion, the Romans, intubus agrestis, andthe Africans, sithilesade.

3-74. SELINON AGRION, SELINONKEPAION

SUGGESTED: Apium, Apium hortense [Fuchs], Eleoselinum,Apium palustre [Brunfels], Apium graveolens [Linnaeus],

Apium celleri, Celeri graveolens — Marsh Celery, Wild Celery, Celery, Marsh Parsley, Smallage

[other usage] Selinum carvifola — Milk Parsley

The herb garden selinum applied with bread or floured polenta is good for the same things as coriander (as

well as for inflammation of the eyes). It soothes burningin the stomach, slacks breasts swollen with clotted milk,and eaten boiled or raw it causes an urge to urinate. Adecoction of it with the roots (taken as a drink) resistspoisonous medicines [antidote] by causing vomiting. Itstops discharges of the bowels. The seed is more urinary,also helping those bitten by poisonous beasts and thosewho have taken a drink of white lead. It also breakswinds. It is mixed effectively with pain-easing medicines, antidotes and cough medicines.

448


449


Black Stinking Horehound Ballota nigra


450


Teucrium polium


3-75. ELEIOSELINON

SUGGESTED: Heleio selinon [Pliny], Apium palustre,Sii primum genus, Laver vulgo dicitur [Fuchs], Apium palustre,

Sion, [Bauhin], Sium angustifolium [Linnaeus]—Water Parsnip

Helioselinum grows in watery places. It is bigger thanthe cultivated and it has similar effects to the

garden kind. Some call it campestre, others, watersmallage, and the Romans, apium rusticum.

3-76. OREOSELINON

SUGGESTED: Oreoselinum, Petroselinum sylvestre [Fuchs], Apium hortense, Petroselinum vulgo [Bauhin],

Apium petroselinum [Linnaeus], Petroselinum hortense [inSprague], Petroselinum sativum, Petroselinum crispum,

Carum petroselinum, Apium vulgare — Rock Celery, Common Garden Parsley

Oreoselinon has a single stalk twenty centimetres high from a slender root. Around it are little branches

with little heads (similar to hemlock yet a great deal moreslender) on which is the seed — somewhat long, sharp,thin, with a sweet smell, similar to cumin. It grows inrocky mountainous places. Taken as a drink in wine boththe seed and root are urinary, and they also expel themenstrual flow. It is mixed with antidotes, diuretics, andheating medicines. We must not be deceived thinkingoreoselinon is that which grows on rocks, for petroselinumis different. It is also called petroselinum sylvestre; theRomans call it apium montanum, and the Egyptians,anonim.

3-77. PETROSELINON

SUGGESTED: Petroselinum, Amomum officinarum, Petroselinum macedonicum [Fuchs], Sison amomum [Linnaeus]

[other usage] Petroselinum oreoselinum, Athamanta oreoselinum — Mountain Parsley

Apium (also called petroselinum) grows in steep placesin Macedonia. It has seed similar to ammi visagna but

451


with a sweeter, sharp, aromatic scent. It is diuretic andexpels the menstrual flow. It is good (taken in a drink) forgaseousness, griping of the stomach, and colus [colic], aswell as pain in the sides, kidneys, and bladder. It is alsomixed with urinary antidotes.

3-78. IPPOSELINON

SUGGESTED: Hipposelinum, Olus atrum [Fuchs] Hipposelinum Theophrasti, Smyrnium Dioscorides [Bauhin],

Smyrnium olusatrum [Linnaeus], Petroselinum alexandrinum — Alexanders, Black Lovage, Horse Parsley, Boeotin Myrrh

see 1-78

Hipposelinon is different to that which is properlycalled smyrnium (as we will immediately declare). It

is bigger and paler than the garden selinum; the stalkhollow, high, tender (as it were) with lines; the leavesbroader, inclining to purple; over which are filamentslike libanotis [3-87, 3-89]. It is full of flowers standingtogether in clusters before it has fully opened. The seed isblack, somewhat long, solid, sharp, aromatic. The root issweet in scent, white, pleasing to the taste, and not thick.It grows in shady places and near marshes. It is used as avegetable like selinum [3-74, 3-75]. The root is eaten boiledor raw, and the leaves and stalks are eaten boiled. Theyare prepared either by themselves or with fish, andpreserved raw in brine. Taken as a drink in honeyed wine the seed is able to expel the menstrual flow. Taken as adrink or rubbed on it heats those who are chilled. It helpsslow painful urination, and the root does the same. It isalso called grielon, others call it agrioselinon, or smyrnium,and the Romans call it olusatrum.

452


453


Asclepias

from FUCHS — 1545

454


Trifolium pratense


3-79. SMURNION

SUGGESTED: Smyrnium, Levisticum [Fuchs], Levisticum vulgare [Brunfels], Ligusticum vulgare [Bauhin],

Levisticum officinale [in Sprague], Ligusticum levisticum[Linnaeus], Levisticum officinale, Levisticum vulgare, Angelica levisticum — Lovage, Mountain Hemlock

POISONOUS

[other usage] Smyrnium dioscorides, Smyrnium perfoliatum — Cretan Alexanders

Smyrnium (which they call petroselinum in Cilicia)grows plentifully on the hill called Amanus. This has

a stalk similar to selinum [3-74, 3-75] with many sprigs, but the leaves are broader towards the ground. They windaround beneath, somewhat thick, strong and sweetsmelling, with sharpness, and a medicinal scent, andinclining to a faint yellow in colour. There is a tuft on thestalk similar to that of dill [3-67]. The round seed is similar to that of colewort [2-146] — black; sharp, like myrrh[1-77, 1-73, 4-116] to the taste, making one for one. Theroot is sharp, fragrant, tender, full of juice, biting the topof the throat, with the bark black on the outside, but palewithin or a faint white. It grows in dry rocky or hillyplaces and untilled corners. The root, herb and seed arewarming. The leaves are eaten preserved in brine likevegetables, and they stop discharges of the bowels. Theroot (taken in a drink) helps those bitten by snakes; it alsosoothes coughs and orthopnoea [difficult breathing,asthma], and heals difficult painful urination. Applied, itdissolves recent oedema, inflammations and hard lumps, and it brings wounds to a scar. Boiled and applied as apessary it causes abortion. The seed is good for thekidneys, spleen, and bladder. Taken as a drink with wineit expels the menstrual flow and afterbirth, and is goodfor sciatica. It soothes gaseousness in the stomach, andcauses sweat and belching. It is especially taken in a drink for dropsy, and recurrent fevers.

455


3-80. ELAPHOBOSKON

SUGGESTED: Elafobosco Vero [Italian], Peucedanum ostrithium, Imperatoria ostrithium — Masterwort,

Broad-leaved Hog’s Fennel

produces peucedanin — see 3-92

Elaphoboscum has a knotty stalk similar to libanotis or tomarathrum [3-81]. The leaves are two fingers-breadth,

very long like terminthos [1-91], broken around in a sharpway. The stalk has very many little sprigs, with paleyellow tufts similar to dill flowers [3-67], and the seed isalso similar to dill. The root is about the length of threefingers, the thickness of a finger, white, sweet and edible.The new stalks are eaten [as vegetables] like other herbs.They say that deer having fed on this very herb therebyresist the bites of snakes, as a result the seed is given withwine to those bitten by snakes.

Some call it elaphicum, others nephrium, ophigenium,ophioctonon, herpyxe or lyme; the Romans call it cerviocellum, the Egyptians chemis, and the Africans, ascacau.

3-81. MARATHRON

SUGGESTED: Foeniculum [Fuchs], Foeniculum officinale,Foeniculum vulgare Germanicum [Bauhin],

Foeniculum capillaceum, Foeniculum foeniculum, Anethum foeniculum [Linnaeus] — Common Fennel

[other usage] Marathrum [Bedevian] — Waterweed

Marathrum (the herb itself), eaten, is able to drawdown milk [in breastfeeding], as does the seed

taken in a drink or boiled together with barley water. Adecoction of the fronds (taken as a drink) is good forinflamed kidneys and disorders of the bladder as it isdiuretic. Taken as a drink with wine it is suitable for thosebitten by snakes. Taken as a drink with cold water itexpels the menstrual flow, and lessens the burning heatof fevers and nausea of the stomach. The roots (poundedinto small pieces and applied with honey) heal dog bites.Juice from the bruised stalks and leaves (dried in the sun)is a useful preparation for eye medicines, such as forrestoration of the sight. The green seed together with the

456


457


Cnicus benedictus


458


Circaea alpina


leaves and branches is juiced for the same purposes, aswell as the root when the new stems emerge. In Iberiatowards the west it sends out a liquid similar to gum. Theinhabitants cut it down around the middle of the stalkduring its flowering and lay it by the fire so that (as itwere) in a sweat near the warmth it may exude the gum,and this is more effective than the juice for eye medicines.

It is also called elaphicum, nephrium, ophigenium,ophioctonon, herpyxe, or lyme, the Romans call it cerviocellum, the Egyptians, chemis, and the Africans, ascacau.

3-82. IPPOMARATHRON

SUGGESTED: Foeniculum vulgare — Wild Fennel

[other usage] Hippomaratrum libanotis, Cachrys libanotis,Cachola — Rosemary Frankincense see 3-87

Hippomaratrum siculus — Hairy Hippomarathrum

Hippomarathrum is the tall wild marathrum. It bearsseed similar to cachryi [3-88]. The root underneath

has a sweet scent, and taken in a drink cures slow painfulurination. Applied, it expels the menstrual flow. Adecoction of the seed and root (taken as a drink) stopsdischarges of the bowels, helps those bitten by poisonousbeasts, breaks stones [urinary, kidney], and cleansjaundice. A decoction of the leaves (taken as a drink)brings out milk [breastfeeding], and cleans women afterchildbirth. There is another herb called hippomarathrumthat has small, slender, somewhat long leaves and theround seed is similar to that of coriander, sharp, with asweet scent, heating. The properties of it are similar tothose above, working more weakly. It is also calledmarathrum sylvestre; the Egyptians call it sampsos, theMagi, thymarnolion, Romans, faeniculum erraticum, some,faeniculos, others, cuinos, or meum, and the Gauls,sistrameor.

459


3-83. DAUKOS

SUGGESTED: Pastinaca sativa, Pastinaca lucida, Pastinaca dissecta [Loudon] — Parsnip

Daucus carota var boissieri — Parsnip, Wild Carrot

pastinaca is from the Latin for daucus

see 3-59

Daucus (which is also called dircaeum) from Crete hasleaves similar to marathrum [3-81] yet smaller and

more slender, a stalk twenty centimetres long, and a tuftsimilar to coriander. The flowers are white, and in these is the seed which is sharp, white, rough and sweet smellingwhen chewed. The root is about the thickness of a finger,twenty centimetres in length. It grows in rocky sunnyplaces. There is another kind similar to wild selinum —sharp, sweet smelling and hot to one who tastes it, butthat from Crete is the best. The third kind has leavessimilar to coriander, with white flowers, but a head andseed similar to dill [3-67]. On the head is a tuft similar topastinaca [3-59], full of long seed, sharp like cumin. Adecoction of the seed of any of them (taken as a drink) iswarming. It expels the menstrual flow, is an abortifacient, induces the flow of urine, and frees one from griping,relieving old coughs. A decoction (taken as a drink withwine) helps those bitten by harvest spiders. Applied, itdissolves oedema. Only the seed of all the others isuseful, but of the Cretan kind the root is also useful. Thisis taken as a drink with wine (especially) against harmfrom poisonous beasts.

3-84. DELPHINION

SUGGESTED: Delphinium oxysepalum — Tatra Larkspur

250 species in genus — POISONOUS

Delphinium sends out shoots two feet long (or more)from one root, around which are little cut-in leaves

— thin, somewhat long, similar to dolphins (from whichthey are named). The flower is similar to the white violet,with a purple colour. The seed in the pods resemblesmilium [3-158], and (taken as a drink in wine) helps thosebitten by scorpions like nothing else can. They also say

460


461


Atractylis hirsutior

from FUCHS — 1545

462


Atractylis vulgaris minor[errore, Carlina corymbosa]

from FUCHS — 1545

that scorpions grow faint and become inactive and numbwhen the herb is applied to them, and when it is takenaway they are restored to their former state. It grows inrough sunny places. It is also called diachysis, diachytos,paralysis, camaros, hyacinthus, delphinias, nerion, nereadium,sosacros, or cronios; the Romans call it buccinus minor.

3-85. DELPHINION ETERON

SUGGESTED: Delphinium elatum

250 species in genus — poisonous

The other delphinium is similar to that above, yet ismuch more slender in the leaves and branches. It has

the same properties as that previously mentioned, but itis not altogether as effective. It is also called hyacinthum;the Romans call it bucinus.

3-86. PURETHRON

SUGGESTED: Pyrethrum [Fuchs], Anthemis pyrethrum[Linnaeus], Anacyclus pyrethrum [in Sprague]

— Pellitory of Spain, Alexander’s Foot [other usage] Pyrethrum tanacetum — Tansy, Cost, Costmary

Pyrethrum balsamita — Pyrethrum, Feverfew

Pyrethrum is a herb which sends out a stalk and leaveslike wild daucus [3-83] and marathrum [3-81], and a

tuft like dill [3-67]. The root is long, about the thickness ofthe big finger, similar to hair curled round, extremelyburning and hot to one who tastes it. It draws outphlegm; as a result boiled with vinegar and used as amouthwash it helps toothache. Chewed, it expelsphlegm; and rubbed on with oil it produces sweats, ishelpful for long-lasting chills, and is excellent for chilledor paralytic parts of the body. It is also called dorycnion,pyrinon, pyroton, pyrothron, or arnopurites; the Magi call itpurites, and the Romans, salivaris.

463


Delphinium peregrinum


3-87. LIBANOTIS

SUGGESTED: Libanotis, Athamanta — Mountain Spignel

see 1-3, 3-60 to 3-62

Libanotis cretensis, Athamanta cretensis, Athamanta annua — Cretan Carrot, Candy Carrot

Hippomaratrum libanotis, Cachrys libanotis, Cachola— Rosemary Frankincense

see 3-88, 3-89

Libanotis has two types — one of which bears fruit called zea by some (or campsanema), the seed of which

is called cachris [see cachry below]. It has leaves similar tomarathrum [3-81] but thicker and broader, lying like awheel on the ground, smelling sweet. The stalk is a footand more [in length] with many wings, and on the top isa tuft in which is a lot of white seed shaped like avertebra, round, with corners, sharp smelling, similar torosin, and chewed is burning to the taste. The root iswhite, very large, and smells of frankincense.

The second kind is similar in everything to the first,but it bears a broad black seed like sphondylium [3-90],sweet-smelling, not burning. The root is black on theouter part, but when broken white. That which is calledinfertile (being similar to that mentioned before) sendsout neither stalk nor flower nor seed. It grows in rough,rocky places. The herb of all of them in general (poundedand applied) stops haemorrhoids, lessens inflammations(such as in the perineum) and venereal warts, anddissolves suppurations that are dissolved with difficulty.With honey the dry roots clean ulcers, cure griping, andare good for those bitten by venomous creatures. Adecoction (taken as a drink with wine) expels themenstrua [menstrual flow] and urine, and applied itdissolves old oedemas. Juice from the root and herb(mixed with honey and rubbed on) restores the sight. Adecoction of the seed (taken as a drink) does the same.Given with pepper and wine it helps epilepsy, olddisorders in the chest, and jaundice. Rubbed on with oil it causes sweat. Pounded into small pieces and appliedwith lolium meal [2-116, 4-140] and vinegar, it is good forhernia, convulsions, and gout in the feet. Mixed with thesharpest vinegar it cleans vitiligines [form of leprosy]; and

464


465


Melissophyllum verum

from FUCHS — 1545

466


Teucrium

from FUCHS — 1545

for abscesses we ought to use the kind that bears nocachrys [seed], for that is sharp and harsh to the throat. Theophrastus speaks of a libanotis growing with erica,with leaves similar to wild lettuce, which is bitter, and has a short root, but the leaves are paler and sharper thanthose of lettuce. A decoction of this (taken as a drink)purges upward and downward.

3-88. KAGCHRU

SUGGESTED: Cachrys libanotis — Rosemary Frankincense Cachrys panacifolia — Parsnip-leaved Cachrys

Crithmum maritimum, Cachrys maritimum — Samphire, Sea Fennel, Peter’s Cress

see 3-87

Cachry is warming and extraordinarily drying, as aresult it is good mixed with sebaceous treatments,

and it is sprinkled on the head and wiped off after threedays for rheumatic eyes.

3-89. LIBANOTIS

SUGGESTED: Libanotis coronaria, Rosmarinus [Fuchs], Rosmarinus officinalis [Linnaeus] — Common Rosemary,

Old Man

Libanotis the Romans call rosmarinus and those whoplait wreaths for the head use it. The shoots are

slender, around which are small leaves — thick,somewhat long, thin, white on the inside, but green onthe outside, with a strong scent. It is warming and curesjaundice. It is boiled in water and given to drink beforeexercises, and then he who exercises bathes and isdrenched with wine. It is also mixed with remedies forthe removal of fatigue, and in gleucinum [1-67] ointments.

467


3-90. SPHONDULION

SUGGESTED: Acanthus germanica [Fuchs], Sphondylium vulgare hirsutum [Bauhin],

Heracleum sphondylium [Linnaeus], Sphondylium branca ursina— Meadow Parsnip, Cow Parsnip, Hogweed

JUICE CAUSES BLISTERS AND PERMANENT PURPLE PIGMENTATION

Sphondylium has leaves somewhat similar to platanus[1-107] as well as to those of panax [3-55]. The stalks

are a foot high (or rather more) similar to marathrum[3-81]. The seed on the top is double, similar to seselis, butbroader, paler, and huskier, with a strong scent. Theflowers are white, and the root is white like raphanus[2-137]. It grows in moist, marshy countries. The seed ofthis (taken in a drink) purges phlegmy stuff through thebowels. Taken in a drink it cures the liver, jaundice,asthma, epilepsy and constriction of the womb. Inhaled,it revives those who fall in a faint. If the head is moistened with it (with oil), it is good for fever of the brain, lethargy,and headaches. Applied with rue [3-52] it restrains herpes[viral skin infection]. The root is given to the jaundicedand liverish. Shaved and inserted it eliminates thehardness of fistulas [ulcers]. The fresh juice from theflower is good for ulcerated and purulent ears. It is alsopreserved, placed in the sun like other juices. It is alsocalled arangem, phalangium, asterium, nisyris, sphondulis,choradanon, or oenanthe; the Romans call it herba rotularis,the Egyptians, apsapher, and the Magi, osiris.

3-91. NARTHEX

SUGGESTED: Ferula foetida, Ferula puberula, Narthex asafoeteda — Asafoetida, Assafoetida

The pith of narthex (which the Romans call ferula)taken in a drink whilst it is green helps bloodspitting

and stomach complaints. It is given with wine to thosebitten by snakes, and put in as a tent [a curved sliceinserted] it stops flows of blood from the nostrils. Takenin a drink the seed helps those troubled with griping.Rubbed on with oil it encourages sweating. The stalkscause headaches if eaten. They are also preserved inbrine. The ferula frequently brings forth a stalk fifty

468


469


Artemisia latifolia

from FUCHS — 1545

470


Melissophyllum vulgare

from FUCHS — 1545

centimetres long. It has leaves similar to marathrum [3-81]yet much thicker and bigger, from which (cut in near tothe root) comes the sagapenum [see 3-95] (gum).

3-92. PEUKEDANON

SUGGESTED: Peucedanum germanicum [Bauhin] Peucedanum officinale [Linnaeus], Selinum officinale,

Selinum peucedanum — Hog’s Fennel, Sulphur Weed

see 3-80

Peucedanum sends out a thin, slender stalk similar tomarathrum [3-81]. It has thick hairs in abundance

around the root. The flower is yellow; the root black, with a strong scent, very full of liquid. It grows on shady hills.The liquid is taken as follows: the root whilst still tender is cut with a knife, and that which flows from it is presentlyplaced in the shade (for under direct sunlight it iscoloured immediately). Gathering it causes headachesand brings on vertigo if you do not rub your nostrilsbeforehand with rosaceum [1-53], and also wet your headbeforehand with it. The root becomes useless having lostits liquid. The stalks and the root have their liquidremoved like mandrake and are juiced, but this liquiddoes not work as well and quickly becomes useless.Sometimes a fluid similar to frankincense is found,already congealed, sticking to the stalks and to the roots.The juice made in Sardinia and Samothracia is the best,with a strong scent, yellowish, warming to the taste. It isgood rubbed on with vinegar and rosaceum [1-53] forlethargy, mental illness, vertigo, and epilepsy, for thosewho have suffered for a long time with headaches, for the paralytic, sciatica, and rubbed on with oil and vinegar forthe convulsed. The scent is good in general for disordersof the strength. It should be inhaled for wombconstriction, revives those who fall in a faint, and drivesaway snakes. It is good for earache dropped in with of oilof roses, and put into cavities for toothache. It is good(taken with an egg) for coughs. It is effective for hardbreathing, griping and windy afflictions. It gentlysoothes the intestines, lessens the spleen, andwonderfully helps hard labour in childbirth. A decoction(taken as a drink) is effective for disorders and mattersrelated to the bladder and kidneys. It removes blockages

471


of the womb. The root is effective for the same purposes,working less effectively. A decoction of this (poundedinto small pieces) is taken as a drink. Dried, it cleans foululcers, removes scales from bones, and heals old ulcers. Itis mixed with stiff ointments and warm compresses.Choose roots that are new, uneaten [by worms], sound,full of scent. The liquid is dissolved in pills with bitteralmonds, rue, and warm bread or dill [3-67]. It is alsocalled agrion, or agriophyllon; the Magi call it bonus daemon,some, pinasgelum, and the Romans, stataria.

3-93. MELANTHION

SUGGESTED: Melanthium hortense primum, Schwartz Kommich [Fuchs], Nigella sativa [Linnaeus]

— Common Fennel Flower, Black Cumin

Melanthium alterum Damascenum vocatum, Nigella hortensis altera [Fuchs], Nigella angustifolia [Bauhin],

Nigella damascena [Linnaeus] — Love in a Mist, Devil in a Bush

Melanthium sylvestre, Cuminum sylvestre alterum [Fuchs],Nigella arvensis [Linnaeus]

POISONOUS

Melanthium is a little shrub with slender shoots twofeet in length or more. It has small leaves similar to

senecio [ragwort] but much more slender, and a small little head on the top like poppy, somewhat long, with sidepartitions in which are seed — black, sharp, sweetsmelling, used sprinkled on loaves. It is good applied tothe forehead for those troubled with headaches. It ispoured into the nostrils (after it is pounded into smallpieces with irinum [1-66]) for those who begin to haveliquids dripping from their eyes. Applied with vinegar ittakes away freckles, leprosy, old oedema, and hardlumps. Applied with old wine it takes away corns that are first incised or cut around. It is good for toothache, themouth washed with it (boiled with vinegar and taeda[pitch pine]). The nail [fingernail for application]smeared with it with water, it expels roundworms.Pounded into small pieces, bound up in a loincloth andinhaled, it helps those troubled with mucus. Drunk forseveral days it draws out the menstrual flow, urine and

472


473


Scordium

from FUCHS — 1545

474


Silphium perfoliatum


milk [breastfeeding]. A decoction (taken as a drink withwine) eases difficult breathing. A teaspoonful (taken as adrink with water) helps those bitten by harvest spiders.Inhaled, it drives away snakes. They say that it kills if a lot is taken (in a drink). Some also call this mecon agria melana; the Romans call it papaver niger.

3-94. SILPHION

SUGGESTED: Laserpitium germanicum, Osteritium [Fuchs],Imperatoria major [Bauhin], Imperatoria ostruthium [Linnaeus],

Peucedanum ostruthium [in Sprague] — Masterwort, Broad-leaved Hog’s Fennel

There is evidence that the silphium of the ancients was harvested to extinction.

[other usage] Silphium laciniatum — Compass Plant

Silphium grows in places around Syria, Armenia,Media and Libya. The stalk, called maspetum, is very

like ferula [3-95], but with leaves similar to apium [3-77]and a broad seed.

The root is warming, hard to digest, inflative, andhurts the bladder. It cures scrofulous tumours [glandularswelling, goitres] and tuberculae [nodules] used in a waxointment, or smeared on bruises with oil. With a waxointment of irinum [1-66] and cyprinum [1-65] it is suitablefor use in sciatica. Boiled in a pomegranate skin withvinegar and applied, it takes away abnormal growthsaround the perineum. A decoction (taken as a drink) is anantitoxin for deadly medicines. It tastes good mixed withsauces and salt. The liquid is gathered from the roots andstalks that are cut. Of this the best is somewhat red andtransparent (emulating myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116]), andpredominant in its smell, neither scented like leek norunpleasant to taste, and easily changing into a whitecolour. Although you taste ever so little of the Cyrenian, it causes dullness over your body, and it is very gentle tosmell, so that if you taste it your mouth breathes but alittle of it. The Median and Syrian are weaker in strengthand they have a more poisonous smell. All the juice isadulterated before it is dry, sagapenum [3-95] or bean meal being mixed with it, which you shall discern by the taste,smell, sight and feel. Some have called the stalk sylphium,the root magudarim, and the leaves maspeta. The juice is

475


the most effective, then the leaves, and then the stalk. It is inflative and sharp, curing alopecia [baldness] by rubbingit with wine, pepper and vinegar.

It causes quickness of sight, and smeared on withhoney disperses the dripping of fluids [in the eyes] asthey begin. For toothache it is put into cavities, or put into a linen cloth with frankincense it is wrapped around thetooth, or the mouth is washed with it (with hyssop [3-30]and figs boiled with posca [hot drinks]). It is good appliedto the wounds of those bitten by dogs; and rubbed on ortaken as a drink for injuries from all poisonous beasts and poisoned arrows. It is rubbed on diluted in oil for thosetouched by scorpions. It is poured into gangrene that isfirst incised or cut. For carbuncles [infected boils,malignant skin tumours] it is used with rue, saltpetre[potassium nitrate] and honey, or by itself. It takes awaycorns and fleshy hardnesses that are first cut in allaround. It is first kneaded together with wax ointment (or the inside of dry figs and vinegar) to cure recent lichen[skin disease]. For carcomata [carcinomata — now cancer — old use: disease of the cornea] and polyps [growths frommucus membrane] it is rubbed on for several days withcobblers ink or aerugo [verdigris — brass oxide], but youmust pull off protuberances with a pair of pliers. It helpslong-lasting difficulties of the lungs. Diluted in water and sipped, it immediately clears a voice that is suddenlyhoarse.

Smeared on with honey it represses inflammation ofthe uvula. With honey and water it is an effective garglefor synanchic [abscessed] throats. Taken with meat itmakes skin better coloured, and it is good for coughsgiven with a raw egg, and to be sipped for pleurisy. Withdry figs it is effective for jaundice and dropsy. Adecoction (taken as a drink) with pepper, frankincenseand wine dissolves chills. Having made ten grains of itinto a pill give it to swallow to those with tetanus, and tothe opisthotonic [form of tetanus]. Gargled with vinegarit casts off horseleeches that stick to the throat. It is goodfor those whose milk curdles within [breastfeeding], andtaken with vinegar and honey helps epilepsy. Adecoction (taken as a drink with pepper and myrrh [1-77,1-73, 4-116]) induces the menstrual flow. Taken withraisins it helps the coeliac [intestinal complaints]. Adecoction (taken as a drink with lye [alkaline salts inwater]) helps sudden convulsions and hernia. It is

476


477


Rosmarinus

from FUCHS — 1545

478


Botrys

from FUCHS — 1545

dissolved in pills with bitter almonds, rue [3-52, 3-53,4-98] or warm bread, and the juice of the leaves [is used]in the same way, but is considerably less effective. It iseaten with vinegar and honey and is good for thearteries, and (especially) for cut-off voices [laryngitis].They eat it [as a salad] with lettuce instead of eruca. Thereis said to be another magudaris [gift of the wise man] thatgrows in Libya, the root of which is similar to silphium butsomewhat less thick — sharp, with a loose substance andwithout juice. It does the same things as silphium.

3-95. SAGAPENON

SUGGESTED: Ferula persica — Ferula, Giant Fennel

produces sagapenum gum resin

Sagapenum is the liquid of the ferulacean herb growingin Media. The best is transparent, a yellow colour

outside but white inside, smelling in-between the juice ofsilphium [3-94] and galbanum, and sharp to the taste. It isgood for pains, and is an abortifacient. Taken with wine it also heals those bitten by venomous creatures. Inhaledwith vinegar it raises up those with a strangled[congested, blocked] womb. It cleans scars in the eyes,dullness of sight, things that darken the pupils, anddripping fluids. It is dissolved as a liquid with rue, water,bitter almonds and honey, or warm bread.

3-96. EUPHORBION

SUGGESTED: Euphorbia amygdaloides — Wood Spurge Euphorbia officinarum — Poisonous Gum Thistle

see tithymal 4-165 a-f, also 4-170

Euphorbium is a tree-like ferula in Libya that grows onTmolus, a hill near Mauretania. It is full of very sharp

liquid. The men there are afraid of it because of itsextraordinary heat, and gather it as follows. Bindingaround the tree washed sheep stomachs and standing adistance away, they pierce the stalk with long tools; andpresently a quantity of liquid flows out (like out of somejar) into the bellies. When pierced like this it also spills onthe ground. There are two kinds of this liquid: one

479


transparent like sarcocolla [3-99] (similar to ervum [2-129,2-131]), but the other that is gathered in the bellies has aglassy look and is compact. It is adulterated with sarcocollaand glue mixed together. Choose that which istransparent and sharp, but that which is tasted is veryhard to test because the tongue having been once bittenthe burning remains for a long time, so that whatever isbrought seems to be euphorbium. The first discovery of itwas when Juba was king of Libya. The juice rubbed onhas the ability to dissolve liquids. A decoction (taken as adrink) burns for a whole day; as a result it is mixed withhoney and collyriums [1642CE — eye salve; 1748CE —suppository] depending on the sharpness. It is mixedwith aromatic liquid medicines and is good (taken as adrink) for sore hips. It removes scales from bones thesame day, but it is necessary for those who use it to secure the flesh lying around the bones with linen cloths or stiffointments. Some claim that no hurt will fall on thosebitten by snakes if (having cut the skin of the head even to the bone) you pour in this resin (pounded into smallpieces) and sew up the wound.

3-97. CHALBANE

SUGGESTED: Ferula galbaniflua — Galbanum Plant

used in incense

Galbanum is the resin of the ferula growing in Syria. Itis also called metopium [1-71]. The best is similar to

frankincense, clotted, pure, fat, not woody, withsomething like seeds of ferula mixed, with a strong scent,neither too moist nor too dry. They adulterate it bymixing it with rosin, bruised beans and ammoniacum[3-98]. It is warming, burning, attractive and dispersing.Either applied or inhaled it expels the menstrual flow and is an abortifacient. Smeared on with vinegar andsaltpetre [potassium nitrate] it takes away freckles. It isalso swallowed down for old coughs, hard breathing,asthma, hernia, and convulsions. A decoction (taken as adrink) with vinegar and myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116] resistspoison. Taken like this it casts out a dead embryo. It isapplied for pains in the side, and boils or inflammatorytumours. Inhaled, it raises up the epileptic, and helpswomb congestion and those with vertigo. Inhaled, it

480


481


Matricaria pyrethrum


482


Peucedanus

from FUCHS — 1545

drives away poisonous beasts, and keeps those rubbedwith it unbitten. Applied all over [the body] withsphondylium [3-90] and oil it kills snakes. Smeared on thetooth or put into a cavity it soothes toothaches, and itseems to be good for frequent painful urination. It isdissolved in pills with bitter almonds and water (or rue,or honey and water, or warm bread, or else withmeconium [4-65], or burned brass, or liquid myrica gale). Ifyou want to purify it put it into warm water. Whenmelted the filth from it will swim on top and you canseparate it as follows. Tie the galbanum in a clean thinlinen cloth, hang it in a brass pot or ceramic jar so that thebundle does not touch the bottom of the jar. Plug it closed and pour boiling water over it, for this way the best willbe melted (as through a strainer) but the woody stuff willremain in the linen cloth.

3-98. AMMONIAKON

SUGGESTED: Dorema ammoniacum, Dorema aurium, Diserneston gummiferum, Peucedanum ammoniacum

— Gum Ammoniacum Plant, Gum of Ammon, Dorema

Ammoniacum is the herb from which ammoniacanincense is gathered. It is the liquid of a ferula that

grows in Libya near Cyrene. The whole shrub (togetherwith the root) is called agasyllis. The best has a goodcolour, is not woody, without stones, similar tofrankincense in little clots, clear and thick, without filth,similar to castor [2-26] in smell, but bitter to the taste. It iscalled thrausma. The earthy or stony is called phurama. Itgrows in Libya near Ammon’s temple and is the juice of atree similar to ferula. It is softening, attracting andwarming, and dissolves hardness and inflammation ofbones. A decoction (taken as a drink) brings down theintestines and is an abortifacient. One teaspoonful of adecoction (taken as a drink with vinegar) lessens thespleen, and takes away pains of the joints and hips.Licked with honey (or sipped with juice of barley water)it also helps the asthmatic, orthopnoeic [those withdifficulty breathing], epileptics, and those who havemoisture in the chest. It expels bloody urine, cleans whitespots on the cornea [eye], and removes the roughness ofthe gene [cheeks, chin, eye sockets]. Pounded into small

483


pieces with vinegar and applied, it softens hard lumpsaround the spleen and liver. Applied with honey ormixed with pitch, it dissolves knobs around the joints[arthritis]. Rubbed on mixed with vinegar, saltpetre[potassium nitrate], and oil cyprinum [1-65], it is good forweariness and sciatica (instead of medications to removefatigue). It is also called agasyllon, criotheos, or heliastrus,and the Romans call it gutta.

3-99. SARKOKOLLA

SUGGESTED: Sarcocolla [Bedevian] — Sarcocol

Sarcocolla is the fluid of a tree growing in Persia (similarto thin frankincense) dark yellow, and somewhat

bitter to the taste. It is able to close open cuts and sorewounds, and to stop fluids in the eyes. It is mixed withplasters. It is counterfeited by gum being mixed with it.

3-100. GLAUKION

SUGGESTED: Chelidonium corniculatum, Glaucium corniculatum,Glaucium leiocarpum, Glaucium phoeniceum

— Red Horned Poppy

see 4-64

Glaucium is the juice of a herb that grows at Hierapolis in Syria. The leaves are similar to the horned poppy

but fatter, scattered on the ground, with a strong scent,and more bitter to the taste. It has considerable quantitiesof saffron-coloured juice. The inhabitants throw theleaves into a pot, warm it in half-cold ovens untilwithered, and afterwards beat them to press out the juice. It is used for new eye sores because it is cooling.

3-101. KOLLA

SUGGESTED: Glue from the hides of Bulls

The best glutinum (also called xylocolla or taurocolla) isthat from Rhodes made from bull hides. It is white

and transparent, but the black glue is bad. Dissolved invinegar it is able to take away impetigo [skin infection] and

484


485


Anthemis arvensis


486


Chamaedrys vulgaris mas

from FUCHS — 1545

leprosy on the outside of the skin. Diluted with warmwater and smeared on, it prevents burns from blistering.Diluted with honey and vinegar it is good for wounds.

3-102. ICHTHUOKOLLA

SUGGESTED: Fish Glue

That called fish glue is from the intestines of a whalefish. The best is made in Pontus — white, somewhat

rough, not scabby, very quickly melted. It is good toinclude in head plasters, medicines for leprosy, andmedicines for making facial skin smooth.

3-103. IXOS

SUGGESTED: Viscum album [Linnaeus], Loranthus europaeus — Continental Mistletoe

PARTS ARE POISONOUS

The best ixia is new, the colour of a leek on the inside,and pale yellow on the outside, with no part rough or

branny. It is made of a certain round fruit (with leavessimilar to box) that grows on the oak. This fruit ispounded, then washed, and afterwards boiled in water,but some process it by chewing it. It also grows on theapple tree, pear tree and other trees. It is able to disperse,soften, attract, and digest swellings and inflammation ofthe parotid gland and other suppurations, mixed equallywith wax and rosin. It heals epinyctis [pustules whichappear only at night] in an adhesive plaster. Withfrankincense it softens old ulcers and malignantsuppurations. Boiled (with quicklime, agate stone, orasiatic [Centella asiatica — asiaticoside]) and applied, itreduces the spleen. Smeared with arsenic or sacarach[saccharate — salt of saccharic acid] it also draws off nails. Mixed with unslaked lime and wine sediment, itsstrength is extended.

487


3-104. APARINE

SUGGESTED: Aparine vulgaris [Bauhin], Galium aparine— Catch Grass, Cleavers, Goosegrass, Sticky Willy

Aparine has many little square rough branches. Theleaves are at distances lying about in a circle (like

those of rubia [dyer’s madder]). The flowers are white; the seed hard, white, round, somewhat hollow in the middle(like a navel). The herb sticks to cloths, and the shepherds use it instead of a strainer for milk, for taking out hairswith it. The seed, stalks and leaves are juiced (taken as adrink with wine) to help those bitten by harvest spidersand snakes. The juice dropped in ears cures earache. Theherb (taken in pounded swines’ grease) dissolvesscrofulous tumours [glandular swelling] and goitres. It isalso called ampelocarpum, omphelocarpum, philanthropum,and ixos.

3-105. ALUSSON

SUGGESTED: Marrubium alysson, Marrubium alyssum — Plaited-leaved Horehound, Moonwort

Sprengel says this is Alyssum alpestre [Loudon].

Alysson is a somewhat rough little shrub with roundleaves. The fruit is similar to little double shields, in

which is the somewhat broad seed. It grows in hilly andrough places. A decoction of this (taken as a drink)dissolves afflictions in those without fever. When held orsmelled it has a similar effect. Pounded into small pieceswith honey it cleans freckles. Pounded together in meatand given, it is thought to cure madness in a dog. Hanged in a house it is said to be wholesome and an amulet formen and beasts. Hanged on them with a purple cloth, itdrives away sores on cattle. It is also called aspidium,haplophyllon, accuseton, or adeseton.

488


489


Phalaris canariensis


490


Anthemis nobilis


3-106. ASKLEPIAS

SUGGESTED: Asclepias, Hirundinaria, Vincetoxicum [Fuchs],Asclepias albo flore [Bauhin], Asclepias vincetoxicum [Linnaeus],

Vincetoxicum officinale [in Sprague] — Milkweed

[other usage] Asclepias syriaca — Milkweed, Silkweed Thapsia asclepium [Loudon] — Deadly Carrot

POISONOUS

Asclepias sends out many long little branches (similarto cissus), and slender roots with a sweet scent. The

flower smells strongly, and the seed is rather like that ofsecuridaca (that which gives peace). It grows on hills. Adecoction of the roots (taken as a drink in wine) helpsthose with griping and those bitten by poisonous beasts.The leaves are applied for malignant sores in the breastsand womb. It is also called cission, or cissophullon.

3-107. ATRAKTULIS

SUGGESTED: Atractylis mitior, Cartamus sylvestris, Wilder Feldsaffran [Fuchs], Atractylis vulgaris minor [Brunfels],

Carlina vulgaris [Linnaeus], Atractylis hirsutior, Carduus benedictus [Fuchs, Bauhin], Cnicus sylvestris hirsutior

[Bauhin], Cnicus benedictus [Linnaeus], Carduus benedictus — Blessed Thistle

[other usage] Atractylis gummifera, Carlina gummifera — White Chameleon, Spindle Wort

Atractylis is a thorn similar to cnicus [ 4-119, 4-190] with much longer leaves on the top of the shoots, and

most of it is naked and rough. Women use it instead of aspindle. It has prickly little heads on the top and a paleflower, but the root is thin and useless. The leaves,filaments, and fruit of this plant (pounded into smallpieces and taken as a drink with pepper and wine) helpthose touched by scorpions. Some relate that thosetouched this way are without pain as long as they holdthe herb, and taking it away are in pain again. It is alsocalled amyron, cnicus sylvestris, or aspidium; the Magi call it aphedros, the Egyptians, cheno, the Romans, presepium,some, fusus agrestis, and others, colus.

491


3-108. POLUKNEMON

SUGGESTED: Polycnemum arvense, Polycnemum recurvum

Polycnemon is a shrub full of sprigs, with leaves similarto origanum, and a stalk with many joints like

pulegium [3-36]. It does not have a tuft but little clusters on the top with a certain sharp, pleasant smell. It is effective(applied green, or dried, with water) for closing open cuts and sore wounds. You must loosen it after it has beenapplied for five days. It is taken in a drink with wine forslow painful urination and hernia. (Experience hastaught how the little branches bruised in white wine are a great help for those possessed with the so-called waterdelirium.) It is also called clinopodium, polygonatum, colusiovis, or echeonymon, and the Romans call it puteo-logonthria.

3-109. KLINOPODION

SUGGESTED: Clinopodium vulgare, Melissa clinopodium, Calamintha clinopodium — Wild Basil, Horse Thyme,

Field Wild Basil

see 3-50, 4-176

Clinopodium is a little shrub full of shoots two feet high that grows on rocks, with leaves similar to serpyllum

[3-46], and flowers like the feet of a bed, set around atdistances, similar to marrubium [3-38]. The herb (and adecoction of it) is taken as a drink for the bites ofvenomous creatures, convulsions, hernia, and slowpainful urination. A decoction (taken as a drink for manydays) draws out the menstrual flow, is an abortifacient,and casts off hanging warts. It stops discharges of thebowels boiled down two thirds and taken as a drink (inwine for the non-feverish, but for the feverish withwater). It is also called cleollicum, ocimoides, or zopyrum.

492


493


Rubia tinctorum


494


Ajuga reptans


3-110. LEONTOPETALON

SUGGESTED: Leontice leontopetalum — Leontice, Lion's Leaf,Lion's Turnip

Leontopetalum sends out a stalk twenty centimetreslong (or rather more) with many wings on whose

tops are pods similar to cicer [2-126]. In these are two orthree little seeds. The flowers are a Phoenician colour[red] (similar to anemone), but the leaves are similar tocolewort [kale], cut-in like those of poppy. The root isblack like rapum [turnip] with abnormal growths (as itwere), some knotty. It grows in fields and among wheat.A decoction of the root (taken as a drink with wine) helpsthose bitten by snakes, quickly relieving their pain. It isalso mixed with enemas or suppositories for sciatica. It isalso called leontopodium, leontium, doricteris, lychnissylvestris, doris, pardale, thorybethron, rapeium, papavercorniculatum, or anemone; the Romans call it papaverculum,and semen leoninum.

3-111. TEUKRION

SUGGESTED: Teucrium [Fuchs, Bauhin], Teucrium flavum [Linnaeus] — Germander

[other usage] Teucrium creticum, Teucrium hyssopifolium — Cretan Germander

Teucrium scordioides, Teucrium scorodinia — Wood Germander, Wood Sage, Garlic Sage

Teucrium is a herb like a rod (resembling germander),with a thin leaf similar to that of cicer [2-126]. It grows

abundantly in Cilicia (in that part near Gentias), andKissas. A decoction (taken green, as a drink with posca[hot drinks]; or dried, boiled, and taken excessively as adrink) is able to diminish the spleen. With figs andvinegar it is applied to the splenical. For those bitten bypoisonous beasts it is applied with vinegar alone(without figs). Some call this chamedrys, others, teucris.


495

3-112. CHAMAIDRUS

SUGGESTED: Chamaedrys vera mas [Fuchs], Chamaedrys minor repens,Teucrium chamaedrys [Linnaeus] — Common Germander, Ground Oak, Wall Germander

Chamaedrys vera foemina [Fuchs], Botrys Chamaedryoides[Bauhin], Teucrium botrys — Cut-leaved Germander see 3-130

Chamaedrys vulgaris mas, Veronica teucrium, Veronica chamaedrys [Linnaeus], Chamaedrys vulgaris foemina

[Fuchs] — Wild Germander, Germander Speedwell

Chamaedrys grows in rough rocky places. It is a smallshrub twenty centimetres long, with bitter little

leaves similar in shape and in the jagging to an oak. Thelittle flower is pale purple. It must be gathered when fullof seed. Freshly picked (boiled with water and given as adrink) it is able to help convulsions and coughs, as well asspleens with hardened swellings, frequent painfulurination, and dropsy at first presentation. It expels themenstrual flow and is an abortifacient. A decoction(taken as a drink with vinegar) reduces the spleen. Adecoction is good against venomous creatures, taken as adrink with wine and smeared on. Pounded into smallpieces, it may also be formed into pills for the purposespreviously mentioned. It is pounded into small pieceswith honey to clean old ulcers. Rubbed on with oil it takes away dimness in the eyes. Rubbed on, it is warming. TheRomans call it trissago minor, some chamedrops, or linodrys,but because it has a certain similarity to teucrium, somealso have called it teucrium.

3-113. LEUKAS

SUGGESTED: Leucas foliis rotundus, Phlomis biflora [Roxburgh];Leucas indica — Leucas

Leucas of the hill [wild] is broader-leaved than thecultivated. The seed is sharper, more bitter, and

worse-tasting in the mouth, yet it is more effective thanthe cultivated. Both of them (smeared on and taken as adrink) are good with wine against the venom ofpoisonous creatures, especially those of the sea.

496


497


Althaea officinalis


498


Milium effusum


3-114. LUCHNIS STEPHANOMATIKE

SUGGESTED: Lychnis — Campion, Lamp Flower, Maltese Cross

Lychnis coeli-rosa, Agrostemma coeli-rosa — Rose of Heaven Lychnis coronaria, Agrostemma coronaria — Rose Campion,

Mullein Pink

Lychnis has a flower similar to a white violet but almost purple, interwoven into little crowns, the seed of

which (taken in a drink with wine) helps those bitten byscorpions. It is also called athanates, aquilonium, vallarium,geranopodium, corymbion, taurion, sceptrum, or maloion; theEgyptians call it seneom, the Magi call it the blood of amenstrual woman, and the Romans call it genicularis, orvallaria.

3-115. LUCHNIS AGRIA

SUGGESTED: Lychnis viscaria — Viscid Campion

Lychnis sylvestris is similar to the culivated in all things. Two teaspoons of a decoction of the seed (taken as a

drink) expels bilious matter through the intestines andhelps those touched by scorpions. They say that whenthis herb is laid near scorpions they become numb andunable to hurt. It is also called tragonoton, atocion,hieracopodion, or lampas, the Egyptians call it semura, theMagi call it genitals of a menstrual woman, the Romans,intybus agrestis, some, lapathum, or caphaguina, and others,seris.

3-116. KRINON BASILIKON

SUGGESTED: Lilium, Lilium album [Fuchs], Lilium candidum [Linnaeus] — Madonna Lily

[other usage] Crinum toxicarium, Crinum asiaticum — White Lily, Lily Asphodel, Poison Bulb

POISONOUS

The flowers of crinum are used to make wreaths for the head (called lirium by some), and also to make

ointment called lirinum or susinum [1-62] that soothes thesinews, and is effective for hard lumps around the womb.

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Lychnis viscaria


The leaves are applied to help those bitten by snakes.Boiled, they are good for burns, and preserved in vinegarthey are good for wounds. The juice from the leaves(mixed with vinegar or honey and boiled in a brass jar) isa liquid medicine for old ulcers and new wounds. Theroot (roasted and pounded into small pieces withrosaceum [1-53]) cures and soothes the womb, expels themenstrual flow, and heals ulcers, making a new skin.Pounded into small pieces with honey it cures distressesof the nerves, cleans leprosy and alphos [noncontagiousleprosy], takes off dandruff, clears the face, and removeswrinkles. Pounded into small pieces with vinegar (orwith the leaves of hyoscyamus [4-69] and wheat flour) itsoothes inflammation from stones [urinary, kidney]. Adecoction of the seed (taken as a drink) is an antidote forsnakebite. Both the seed and the leaves (pounded intosmall pieces) are a poultice with wine for erysipela[streptococcal skin infection]. Some say that there are lilyflowers of a purple colour. Those most effective for themanufacture of ointment grow in Syria, and in Pisidianear Pamphylia. It is also called crinanthemom, orcallirium, the Magi call it sanguis martis, Osthenes calls itaura crocodili, the Egyptians, symphaephu, some, tialos, theRomans, lilium, some, rosa Iunonis, the Syrians, sasa, andthe Africans, abiblabon.

3-117. BALLOTE

SUGGESTED: Ballote, Marrubium nigrum [Fuchs], Marrubium nigrum foetidum [Bauhin], Ballota nigra [Linnaeus],

Balotta foetida — Black Stinking Horehound,Foetid Horehound

Ballota (or marrubium nigrum) sends out many blackstalks that are four-cornered and somewhat rough

from one root. The leaves are similar to marrubium [3-38,3-42] yet bigger, rounder, black and rough, spaced atdistances along the stalk (like apiastrum), with a strongscent (which is why they have called it apiastrum); and the flowers lie around the white stalks in a circle. The leaves(applied with salt) are good for those bitten by dogs.Warmed in warm ashes until withered, they repress skinlesions, and with honey they clean foul ulcers. It is alsocalled nophtham, notianoscemin, cynosprasion, notheras,

500


501


Onobrychis sativa


502


Cannabis sativa


nochelis, nostelis, nophrys, gnothuris, or gnotera. TheRomans call it apnium, some, melita, others, ulceraria,marrubium, or cantherinum, the Egyptians, asphos, some,esce, and the Magi call it the blood of Isis.

3-118. MELISSOPHULLON

SUGGESTED: Melissophyllum verum, Melissen [Fuchs], Lamium montanum melissae folio [Bauhin],

Melittis melissophyllum [Linnaeus] — Bastard Balm, Balm Melittis, Honey Balm

Melissophyllum adulterinum [Fuchs], Melissophyllum vulgare[Brunfels], Melissa hortensis [Bauhin], Melissa officinalis

[Linnaeus], Apiastrum, Citrago — Lemon Balm, Bee Balm,Balm Leaf

Melissophyllum some call melittena because beesdelight in the herb. The leaves and little stalk are

similar to ballota [3-117], but these are bigger, thinner, notso rough, and smell of lemon. A decoction of the leaves(taken as a drink with wine, and also applied) is good forthose touched by scorpions, or bitten by harvest spidersor dogs. A decoction of them is a warm pack for the samepurposes. It is suitable for women’s hip baths for movingthe menstrual flow, as a mouth rinse for toothache, andas an enema or suppository for dysentery. A decoction ofthe leaves (taken as a drink with saltpetre [potassiumnitrate]) helps those who are ill from mushrooms orgriping. Taken as a linctus [syrup] it helps difficultbreathing, and applied with salt it dissolves scrofuloustumours [goitres] and cleans ulcers. Smeared on, itlessens the pains of gout. It is also called melitteon,meliphyllon, erythra, or temele; the Romans call it apiastrum,some, citrago, and the Gauls, merisimorion.

503


3-119. PRASION

SUGGESTED: Marrubium [Fuchs, Brunfels],Marrubium album vulgare [Bauhin], Mentastro [Italian],

Marrubium vulgare [Linnaeus] — Common White Horehound

[other usage] Prasium majus — Great Hedge Nettle Prasium minus —Small Sicilian Prasium

see 3-42

Prasium is a shrub with many branches from one root,somewhat rough, white and four-cornered in the

stems. The leaf is equal to a big finger, somewhat round,thick, wrinkled, bitter to the taste. The seed lies on thestalks at distances and the flowers are sharp like thevertebrae of backbones. It grows in places near housesand rubbish of buildings.

The dried leaves (with the seed) boiled with water (orjuiced while green) are given with honey for tuberculosisof the lungs, asthma, and coughs. If dry iris is mixed withit, it brings up thick stuff out of the chest. It is given towomen not yet cleansed for driving out the menstrualflow and the afterbirth, to women in hard labour, to those bitten by venomous creatures, and to those who havetaken some deadly thing as a drink. Yet it is offensive tothe bladder and veins. The leaves (smeared on withhoney) clean foul ulcers, drive away pterygium[membrane on eye] and gangrenous ulceration of thecheeks, and lessen pains of the sides. The juice madefrom the pressed leaves (thickened in the sun) providesfor the same purposes. Rubbed on with wine and honeyit is a sight restorer, and it purges away jaundice throughthe nostrils. Dropped in by itself or with rosaceum [1-53] itis good for earaches. It is also called eupatorium,phyllophares, tripedilon, camel’s foot, or philophares; theEgyptians call it asterope, the Magi, sanguis tauri, some,aphedros, genitura hori, the Romans, marrubium, some,labeonia, and the Africans, atierberzia.

504


505


Hypericum perforatum


506


Althea

from FUCHS — 1545

3-120. STACHUS

SUGGESTED: Stachys [Fuchs], Stachys major germanica [Bauhin], Stachys germanica [Linnaeus] — Hedge Nettle, Woundwort,

Betony

Stachys is a shrub similar to marrubium [3-38] yetsomewhat longer; with many thin leaves, somewhat

rough, hard, with sweet scent, white; with many smallshoots out of the same root, but paler than those ofmarrubium. It grows in rough hilly places, and it iswarming and sharp. As a result a decoction of the leaves(taken as a drink) expels the menstrual flow andafterbirth.

3-121. PHULLITIS

SUGGESTED: Asplenium scolopendrium, Scolopendrium vulgare,Scolopendrium officinarum, Phyllitis scolopendrium, Adiantum scolopendrium — Hart’s Tongue Fern,

Horse Tongue

Phyllitis sends out six or seven upright leaves similar to rumex [2-141] yet somewhat longer and more

flourishing, smooth on the front parts, but on the backparts having (as it were) thin little worms hanging. Itgrows in shady places and pleasure gardens. It is bitter tothe taste and has no stalk, seed, or flower. A decoction ofthe leaves (taken as a drink with wine) is good for thosebitten by snakes. It is helpful for four-footed beasts[veterinary] poured in through the mouth. It is taken as adrink for dysentery and diarrhoea. It is also called phyllis,acaulon, or lapathum sylvestre.

3-122. PHALAGGION

SUGGESTED: Anthericum liliago — Unbranched Lily Spiderwort

Anthericum ramosum, Phalangium ramosam— Branched Lily Spiderwort

Phalangium species are now Anthericum.

Phalangium some call phalangite while others call itleucacantha. There are two or three (or more) stems

507


distant from one another. The flowers are white like lilieswith many in-cuts. The seed is thick and black similar tohalf of a lens [lentil] but much more slender. The smalllittle root is thin and green while being pulled out of theearth; afterwards it contracts. It grows in hilly places. Adecoction of the leaves, seeds, and flowers (taken as adrink with wine) helps those touched by scorpions orbitten by harvest spiders. It also dissolves griping.

3-123. TRIPHULLON

SUGGESTED: Trifolium odoratum, Lotus sativa [Fuchs],Lotus hortensis odora [Bauhin], Trifolium melilotus-coerulea

[Linnaeus], Trigonella coerulea [in Sprague] — Trefoil

[other usage] Trigonella corniculata, Trigonella eliator — Wild Trefoil

Trifolium is a shrub higher than a foot, with slenderblack stems like onion stalks with branches attached.

These have are three leaves on every sprig (like the lotustree). The smell of them when they emerge is like rue[3-52, 3-53, 4-98], but when grown it is like bitumen. Itsends out a purple flower; the seed is somewhat broadand rough with at the one end (as it were), a horn. Theroot is thin, long and strong. The seeds and leaves (takenas a drink in water) help pleurisy, frequent painfulurination, epilepsy, those beginning to have dropsy, andwomb congestion. It expels the menstrual flow, but threeteaspoonfuls of the seed or four teaspoonfuls of theleaves must be given. A decoction of the leaves (poundedinto small pieces and taken as a drink with vinegar andhoney) helps those bitten by venomous creatures. Somesay that a decoction of the entire shrub with roots andleaves applied with hot cloths to those bitten by snakessoothes the pains, but if someone with an ulcer is appliedwith hot cloths from the water in which another washealed he feels the same pains as those bitten did. Somegive three leaves in drink for fevers with recurrentparoxysms, or three seeds with wine for dissolving thecircular flows of acute fevers. The root is also mixed withantidotes. It is also called oxyphyllon, menyanthes,asphaltium, orcnicinum, the Romans call it trifolium, andsome, trifolium acutum odoratum.

508


509


Oenanthe, Filipendula

from FUCHS — 1545

510


Alcea

from FUCHS — 1545

3-124. POLION

SUGGESTED: Teucrium polium — Cat Thyme, Hulwort,Mountain Germander

Polion the mountainous is also called teuthris, and it isuseful. It is a thin little white shrub twenty

centimetres long, full of seed; with a small head on thetop similar to a little corymbus [flat or slightly convexinflorescence], like gray hair, strongly scented with apleasant smell. Some is shrubbier, not altogether asstrong to smell, and not as effective in working. Adecoction (taken as a drink with vinegar) is able to helpthose bitten by venomous creatures, or with dropsy, orjaundice, and the splenetic; but it causes headaches andis bad for the stomach. It also induces movement of theintestines and the menstrual flow. Scattered underneath(or inhaled) it drives away venomous creatures. Applied,it heals wounds. It is also called teuthrion, pheuxaspidion,achaemenis, ebenitis, melosmon, belion, or leontocharon.

3-125. SKORDION

SUGGESTED: Scordium [Fuchs], Teucrium scordium [Linnaeus] — Garlic Germander, Water Germander

Scordium grows in marshy, mountainous places. It hasleaves similar to chamedrys but bigger and not as

cut-in around the circumference. It resembles garlic in itssmell somewhat, and is astringent and bitter to the taste.Pale red flowers grow from the little four-cornered stalks. The pounded herb (green or dry) is warming and diuretic given in drink. Boiled with wine it is good for snakebiteand poisons. For pangs of hunger in the stomach,dysentery, and frequent painful urination give twoteaspoonfuls with honey water. It expels purulentthicknesses out of the chest. It helps old coughs, hernias,and convulsions mixed dry in a linctus [syrup] withnasturtium [2-185], honey and rosin. Used in a stiffointment it relaxes hypochondrium [nervous gastricdisorder] with long-lasting inflammation. Smeared onwith sharp vinegar (or applied with water) it is good forgout. Applied, it induces the menstrual flow, and healswounds. With honey it cleans old ulcers and brings them

511


to a scar. Used dry, it restrains abnormal growths of theflesh. The juice is taken as a drink for the same sores. Themost effective is the Pontic and Cretan. It is also calledscorbium, pleuritis, dysosmon, calamintha sylvestris,chamedrys, or mithridanios; the Magi call it sanguis podotis,the Egyptians, apho, and the Romans, trisago palustris.

3-126. BECHION

SUGGESTED: Tussilago, Farfaria, Ungula caballina[Fuchs, Brunfels], Tussilago vulgaris [Bauhin],

Tussilago farfara [Linnaeus] — Coltsfoot

[other usage] Becium bicolor, Ocymum grandiflorum, Ocymum abyssinicum, Ocymum filamentosum — Becium

Loudon remarks that Bekion is a name for sage in Dioscorides; see 3-145, Orminon.

Bechium has six or seven leaves (similar to cissus butbigger) growing from the root — white on the lower

side but green on the upper side — with many corners.The stalk is twenty centimetres long. It has a pale yellowflower in the springtime but it quickly throws off both the flower and the stalk; as a result some have thought theherb to be without stalk or flower. The root is thin and ofno use. It grows near flowing or gushing watery places.The leaves (pounded into small pieces and applied) cureerysipela [streptococcal skin infection] and allinflammations. It is dried and burned, and the smokefrom it is inhaled through a funnel to cure those troubledwith a dry cough or difficult breathing: opening themouth wide they take the smoke in at the mouth andswallow it down. It breaks up abscesses in the chest, andthe burning root (inhaled) does the same. Boiled in honey water and taken as a drink it expels dead embryos. It isalso called richion, petrina, peganon, pithion, pagonaton,chameleuce, procheton, arcophyton, or chamegiron. TheEgyptians call it saartha, the Romans, tussilago, some,pharpharia, others, pustulago, and the Bessians call it asa.

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3-127. ARTEMISIA MONOKLONOS ARTEMISIA MONOKLONOS ETERA

SUGGESTED: Artemisia latifolia [Fuchs], Artemisia vulgaris major [Bauhin], Artemisia vulgaris

[Linnaeus] — Mugwort

Artemisia tenuifolia, Matricaria [Fuchs], Matricaria vulgaris[Bauhin], Matricaria parthenium [Linnaeus],

Pyrethrum parthenium, Parthenium matricaria, Chrysanthemum parthenium [in Sprague]

— Feverfew Chrysanthemum

Artemisia monoclonos, Tanacetum, Tagetes [Fuchs], Artemisia tenuifolia [Brunfels],

Chrysanthemum vulgare, Tanacetum vulgare [Linnaeus]— Common Tansy, Buttons

Some artemisia is polyclonos, some monoclonos. It growsfor the most part in places near the sea. It is a

shrub-like herb similar to wormwood [3-26] but bigger,and with the leaves coarser. There is one sort that isprosperous with broader leaves and stems, anothersmaller, the flowers little, thin and white, with a strongsmell; it flowers in the summer. Some (in theMediterranean parts) call a slender-branched little herbwith a single stalk, extremely small, abundant withflowers of a tawny yellow colour, Artemisia monoclonos.The scent of this is sweeter than of the other. They bothwarm and relieve. Boiled, they are good put intowomens’ baths for driving out the menstrual flow andafterbirth, as an abortifacient, for the closure andinflammation of the womb, the breaking of stones[urinary, kidney], and stoppage of urine. Much of theherb applied to the lower part of the bowels induces themenstrual flow, and the juice (kneaded together withmyrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116] and applied) draws from thewomb as many things as does bathing; threeteaspoonfuls of the filaments is given in drink to bringout the same things. If anyone has the herb artemisia withhim while travelling it dissolves weariness, and if youwear it on your feet it drives away venomous beasts anddevils. After blood has hardened around the joints, takethe bigger branches with rosaceum [1-53] and (havingboiled them in a pot) rub the sick man all over with this as

513


he goes to sleep. It helps womens' womb congestionconsiderably, and soothes slow painful urination andrupture of the opisthotonum [form of tetanus]. It is alsocalled toxetesia, ephesia, anactorios, sozusa, lea, or lycophrys;the Magi call it sanguis hominis, it is also calledchrysanthemon, the Romans call it salentia, some, serpyllum, others, herba regia, rapium, tertanageta, or artenisia, theGauls call it ponem, and the Dacians, zuoste.

3-128. ARTEMISIA LEPTOPHULLOS

SUGGESTED: Artemisia herba alba — Artemisia

Artemisia grows around rivulets and hedges and insown fields. The flowers and bruised leaves of this

give off the smell of sampsuchum [3-47]. Therefore ifanyone is suffering in his stomach he should pound thisherb well with oil of almonds, and make (as it were) awarm compress and lay it on the stomach, and he shall be healed. If anyone is pained in his strength, having mixedthe juice of this with oil of roses let him rub with it, and he shall be whole.

3-129. AMBROSIA

SUGGESTED: Ambrosia maritima — Sea Ambrosia, Oak of Cappodocia, Oak of Jerusalem

Ambrosia artemisifolia — Common Ragweed

Ambrosia is a little shrub three feet in height, full ofbranches, with small leaves like rue around the

emergent stalk. It has small stems full of little seeds likelittle bunches of grapes, which never flower — smellingpleasant like wine. The root is slender, two feet long. InCappadocia it is plaited into wreaths for the head. It isable to repress and repel, and is smeared on as anastringent for fluids that have come down. It is also called botrys, or botrys artemisia, the Romans call it capersylvaticus, or apium rusticum, and the Egyptians, merseo.

514


3-130. BOTRUS

SUGGESTED: Botrys [Fuchs], Botrys ambrosioides vulgaris[Bauhin], Chenopodium botrys [Linnaeus] — Purple Goosefoot

Chamaedrys vera foemina [Fuchs], Botrys Chamaedryoides[Bauhin], Teucrium botrys — Cut-leaved Germander

see 3-112

Botrus is a yellowish herb like a shrub, broad-spread,having many wings, and the seed grows around all

the branches. The many leaves are similar to chicory, andall of it has a wonderful sweet scent, and so it is also laidamong cloths. It grows especially near running watersand brooks. A decoction (with wine) is used as a drink toease difficult breathing. The Cappadocians call thisambrosia, and it is also called artemisa.

3-131. GERANION, GERANIONETERON

SUGGESTED: Geranium tertium, Herba Roberti, Robertiana[Fuchs], Geranium robertianum [Linnaeus] — Herb Robert,

Adder’s Tongue, Fox Geranium

Geranium sextum [Fuchs], Geranium sanguinem [Linnaeus],Geranium praetense, Geranium fuscum — Crane’s Bill

Geranium has a jagged leaf similar to anemone butlonger; a root somewhat round, sweet when eaten.

A teaspoonful of a decoction (taken as a drink in wine)dissolves swellings of the vulva. It has slender littledowny stalks two feet long; leaves like mallow; and onthe tops of the wings certain abnormal growths lookingupward (like the heads of cranes with the beaks, or theteeth of dogs), but there is no use for it in medicine. It isalso called pelonitis, trica, or geranogeron, the Romans call it echinaster, the Africans iesce; it is also called alterumgeranium by some, but others call it oxyphyllon, mertryx,myrrhis cardamomum, or origanum. The Magi call ithierobryncas, the Romans, pulmonia, some, cicotria, some,herba gruina, and the Africans, ienk.

515


3-132. GNAPHALION

SUGGESTED: Gnaphalium [Fuchs], Gnaphalium vulgare majus [Bauhin], Gnaphalium germanicum,

Filago germanica [Linnaeus] — Cudweed[other usage] Gnaphalium citrinum, Gnaphalium stoechas,

Helichrysum stoechas — Cassidony, Gold Flower, Golden Tufts

Some use gnaphalium leaves instead of flocks [scraps ofwool] because they are white and soft. The leaves

(given to drink with hard wine) are good for dysentery. Itis also called hires, mertryx, anaxeton or anaphalis, theEgyptians call it semeon, the Gauls, gelasonen, the Romans,centunculus, some tucularis, and some, albinus.

3-133. TUPHE

SUGGESTED: Typha [Fuchs], Typha palustris major [Bauhin], Typha latifolia [Linnaeus], Typha major — Bulrush,

Larger Reedmace, Geat Reed Mace, Cat’s Tail, Marsh Pestle

Typha angustifolia [Linnaeus] — Lesser Reedmace Typha angustata — Reed Mace, Small Bulrush

Typhe sends out a leaf similar to cyprus [1-124], and astalk smooth and equal, surrounded around on the

top with thick flowers which turn into down. It is alsocalled panicula. The flowers (used in old washed swines’grease) cure burns. It grows in marshes and places withstanding water.

3-134. KIRKAIA

SUGGESTED: Circaea lutetiana — Common Enchanter’s Nightshade

Circaea alpina — Alpine Enchanter’s Nightshade

Circea (also called diraea) has leaves similar to gardensolanum nigrum [4-74], many shoots, many small

black flowers, and seed similar to milium [3-158] in certain (as it were) little horns. The three or four roots are twentycentimetres long, white, sweet smelling, warming. Itgrows chiefly in some rocky, windy and open sunny

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places. As much as three pounds of the root (bruised andsteeped a day and a night in three pints of sweet wineand taken as a drink for three days) cleans the womb. The seed (taken in liquids and sipped) draws down milk.

3-135. OINANTHE

SUGGESTED: Oenanthe, Filipendula [Fuchs], Filipendula vulgaris [Bauhin], Spiraea filipendula [Linnaeus],

Filipendula hexapetala [in Sprague] — Dropwort [Mabberley]

[other usage] Oenanthe phellandrium, Phellandrium aquaticum— Water Hemlock, Horsebane, Fine-leaved Water Dropwort

POISONOUS

Oenanthe has leaves like staphulinus, with whiteflowers and a thick stalk twenty centimetres long.

The seed is like atriplex [1-120, 2-145], and it has a greatroot with many round heads. It grows on rocks. The seed, stalks and leaves are given to drink (with honeyed wine)to discharge the afterbirth. The root is good (with wine)for slow painful urination and jaundice. It is also calledleucanthon, or kerascomion.

3-136. KONUZA

SUGGESTED: Conyza odorata, Pluchea odorata — Ovrabla Conyza squarrosa — Great Fleabane

Conyza canadensis, Erigeron canadensis — Fleabane, Erigeron

Conyza magna. The conyza called little has a bettersmell, but the bigger sort has a higher stalk, broader

leaves and a strong scent; both have leaves similar to theolive but these are rough and thick. The height of thestalk of the bigger sort is two feet, but the lesser is a foot.The flower is foul, a tawny yellow, somewhat bitter,falling into down. The roots are useless. The shrub isscattered underneath with the leaves, and the smoke ofthese is inhaled to drive away poisonous beasts, keep offgnats, and kill fleas. The leaves are usefully laid on thosebitten by snakes, and on swellings and wounds; and theflowers and leaves are taken in a drink with wine forexpulsion of the menstrual flow, as an abortifacient, andfor slow painful urination, griping and jaundice. A

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decoction (taken as a drink with vinegar) helps epilepsy,and a decoction as a hip bath cures disorders in the womb and cleans away the menstrual flow. The juice (applied)causes abortions. The herb rubbed on with oil is good forchills. Thinly applied, it cures headaches. It is also calledcynozematitis, danais, tanachium, phycos, ischys, or dinosmos,the Magi call it brephoctonos, some, anubias, or hedemias,the Egyptians, ceti, the Romans, intubus, some, militarismina, delliarion, febrifuga, phragmosa, alusteri, or pissan.

Conyza parva. There is also a third kind of conyza butthe stalk is thicker and softer and the leaves bigger thanthe smaller sort. It is weaker than the bigger, not fat butwith a much stronger smell, more unpleasant and lesseffective; it grows in watery places. It is also called paniosor libanotis; the Magi call it cronos.

3-137. EMEROKALLIS

SUGGESTED: Hemerocallis fulva — Lemon Lily, Yellow Day Lily

Hemerocallis has leaves and a stalk similar to a lily,green like leeks, the flowers in threes or fours at

every flowering, similar in their shape to a lily when theybegin to open, with a colour very similar to ochre. Theroot is pounded finely like the great bulbus [2-200, 2-201]and taken as a drink or applied with honey in wool as apessary for drawing out water and blood. The leaves(pounded into small pieces and applied) lesseninflammation of the breasts that comes with childbirth,and inflammation of the eyes. The root and leaves areeffective applied on burns. It is also calledhemerocatallacton, lilium sylvestre, crinanthemon,porphyranthes, bulbus sanguineus, or anticantharon; theEgyptians call it iocroi, the Romans, bulbus, some, liliumagreste, some, lilium marinum, and the Africans, abiblabon.

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3-138. LEUKOION, LEUKOIONTHALASSION

SUGGESTED: Leucoion, Viola alba, Leucoion-Dioscorides album[Fuchs], Hesperis hortensis [Bauhin],

Hesperis matronalis var hortensis subvar albiflora [Linnaeus] — Dame's Violet, Dame's Rocket, Damask Violet

Viola-lutea [Fuchs], Leucoion-Dioscorides luteum [Brunfels],Leucoium luteum vulgare [Bauhin], Cheiranthus cheiri

[Linnaeus] — Wallflower

[other usage] Leucoion [Theophrastus], Viola alba [Fuchs], Leucoium bulbosum vulgare [Bauhin], Leucojum vernum

[Linnaeus] — Spring Snowflake

Leukoion is commonly known but there are different coloured flowers, for it is found white, yellowish and

azure [blue], or else it is purple. The fittest of these formedicinal use is the yellowish, the dried flowers of which(boiled) are good for bathing inflammation around thewomb and expelling the menstrual flow. Used in waxointments they cure cracks in the perineum, and withhoney they cure apthas [small ulcers]. Two teaspoonfulsof a decoction of the seed (taken as a drink with wine orapplied as a pessary with honey) draw out the menstrualflow and afterbirth, and are an abortifacient. The roots(smeared on with vinegar) repress the spleen and helpgout. It is also called basilion; the Romans call it opula alba,some call it viola alba, augustia, viola matronalis, passarina,or polyphura.

3-139. KRATAIOGONON

SUGGESTED: Crataegus monogyna — Common Hawthorn Crataegus orientalis — Eastern Thorn

Crataegus laevigata, Crataegus oxyacantha — Midland Hawthorn

Crataeogonon (also called crateonon) has leaves similarto melampyrum, many knotty shoots growing out of

one root, and a seed similar to millet. It grows for the most part in shady and shrubby places, and it is extremelysharp. It is said by some that drinking the seed causes awoman to bring forth a male child, if after the cleansing of

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the menstrual flow and before the time of sexualintercourse, she drinks three times a day (while fasting)thirty grains with two cups of water for forty days, andlets the man drink it similarly for as many days and thenlie with her.

3-140. PHULLON

SUGGESTED: Bryophyllum calycinum, Bryophyllum pinnatum — Air Plant, Floppers, Life Plant

see 4-192

Phyllum grows on rocks. That which is calledthelygonon has (as it were) moss, the leaf greener than

the olive, a thin short stalk, a slender root, a white flower,and a bigger seed, rather like poppy. Arrhenogonon issimilar in other things to that previously mentioned butdiffers in having the seed (similar to olives) coming in acluster out of the flower. It is said that a decoction ofarrhenogonon (taken as a drink) produces male offspring,but thelygonum causes females. Crateus relates thisconcerning these, but he seems to me to relate thesethings according to the report of them [not experience].Some call this elaeophyllon, some, bryonia.

3-141. ORCHIS

SUGGESTED: Orchis mas latifolia [Fuchs, Brunfels], Cynosorchis latifolia [Bauhin], Orchis militaris [Linnaeus]

— Military Orchid, Soldier Orchid

[other usage] Orchis undulata — Wavy-leaved Orchis Orchis longibracteta — Sicilian Orchis

Herminum monorchis, Ophrys monorchis — Musk Orchis

Orchis (also called cynosorchis) has leaves scattered onthe earth around the stalk, and the bottom of it is

similar to an olive — tender but narrower, smooth andlonger; a stalk the height of twenty centimetres on whichare flowers of a purple hue. The root is bulbous,somewhat long, narrow like the olive, double, one partabove, the other beneath, one full but the other soft andfull of wrinkles. The root is eaten (boiled) like bulbus[2-200, 2-201]. It is said that if the bigger root is eaten by

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men, it makes their offspring males, and the lesser eatenby women makes them conceive females. It is furtherrelated that women in Thessalia give it to drink withgoat’s milk. The tenderer root is given to encouragevenereal diseases, and the dry root to suppress anddissolve venereal diseases. In a decoction (taken as adrink) the one dissolves the other. It grows in stony,sandy places.

3-142. ORCHIS ETEROS

SUGGESTED: Triochis-serapias mas [Fuchs], Triorchis mas minor[Brunfels], Orchis morio [Linnaeus] — Green Winged Orchid

Triorchis foemina [Fuchs], Orchis fucum [Bauhin], Ophrys insectifera [Linnaeus], Ophrys apifera [in Sprague]

— Bee Orchid

[other usage] Serapias lingua, Serapias cordigera — Serapias

Testiculus alter (also called serapias — as Acreas does for the many uses of the root) has leaves similar to leek,

somewhat long but broader and fat, winding around inthe wings; little stalks twenty centimetres long, theflowers almost purple. The root (similar to testicles) liesunder, and applied is able to dissipate oedema, cleanulcers, and repress herpes [viral infection]. Smeared on itdestroys fistulas, and soothes inflamed parts. Sprinkledon dry it stops nomae [grazer disease, eats away muscle,tissue and bones], and a decoction (taken as a drink withwine) cures the intestines. There is a similar story told ofthis as there is of the dog’s stone [cyanosorchis 3-141].

3-143. SATURION

SUGGESTED: Satyrion-trifolium [Fuchs], Orchis trifolia major [Bauhin], Orchis bifolia [Linnaeus],

Habenaria bifolia [Brunfels]

[other usage] Satyrium hircinum, Orchis hircina — Lizard Orchis

Satyrium some call trifolium because it bears leaves inthrees (as it were) bending down to the earth, similar

to rumex [2-141] or lily, yet smaller and reddish. It has anaked stalk a foot long, a white flower similar to a lily, a

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bulbous root as big as an apple — red, but white within,similar to an egg, sweet to the taste and pleasant in themouth. One ought to drink it in black hard wine forsevere spasms, and use it if he wishes to lay with awoman. For they say that this also is an aphrodisiac.

3-144. SATURION ERUTHRONION

SUGGESTED: Satyrium-basilicum mas [Fuchs, Brunfels], Orchis palmata angustifolia minor [Bauhin],

Gymnadenia conopsea [Brunfels], Orchis conopsea [Linnaeus]— Gnat-like Orchid

Satyrium-basilicum foemina, Satyrium-basilicum mas alterum[Fuchs], Orchis maculata [Linnaeus], Orchis Fuchsii [inSprague] — Early Purple Orchid, Dead Man's Finger

[other usage] Erythronium dens-canis — Dog’s-tooth Violet

Modern satyrium species are only found at the Cape of Good Hope.

Satyrium erythronium has a seed similar to flax seed butbig, firm, glittering and smooth. It is said that it is an

aphrodisiac, like scincus. The bark of the root is somewhat thin and red, but the inside is white, pleasant in themouth to one who tastes it, and sweet. It grows in sunny,hilly places. It is related that the root (taken into the hand) encourages venereal diseases, but even more so when adecoction is taken as a drink with wine. It is also calledsatyrium erythraicum, melium aquaticum, entaticon,priapiscus, morion, satyriscus, or testiculum satyri; theRomans call it molorticulum veneris.

3-145. ORMINON EMERON

SUGGESTED: Orminum sativum [Fuchs], Horminum sclarea dictum [Bauhin], Salvia sclarea [Linnaeus]

— ClaryOrminum sylvestre, Salvia sylvestris [Fuchs], Horminum pratense foliis serratis [Bauhin],

Salvia pratensis [Linnaeus] — Meadow Sage, Clary Horminum domesticum, Salvia horminum — Common Sage,

Annual Clary

Cultivated horminum is an herb similar to marrubiumin the leaves, but the stalk is four-cornered and half a

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foot high. There are abnormal growths similar to husksaround this (as it were) looking towards the root, inwhich are two different types of seed. In the wild it isfound round and dark, but in the other it is somewhatlong and black. Use is made of this and it is also thoughtthat a decoction (taken as a drink with wine) is anaphrodisiac. With honey it cleans away argema [smallwhite ulcer on the cornea], and also white spots on thecorneas of the eyes; and smeared on with water itdissolves oedema and extracts splinters. The herb(applied) does the same things. The wild one is stronger;as a result it is mixed with compound ointments(especially with gleucinum [1-67]). The Romans call itgeminalis, and the Dacians, hormia.

3-146. EDUSARON

SUGGESTED: Hedysarum crinitum — Crook-podded Hedysarum

Hedysarum coronarium — French Honeysuckle, Soola Clover Hedysarum alhagi, Alhagi maurorum, Alhagi mannifera

— Camel Thorn, Egyptian Manna Plant Biserrula pelecinus — Hatchet Vetch

Hedysarum (called pelecinus by the ointment makers)is a shrub with little leaves similar to cicer [2-126],

but pods like little horns in which is the red seed similarto an axe that has two edges (from which it is named). It is bitter to one who tastes it; a decoction (taken as a drink) isgood for the stomach, and it is also mixed with antidotes.Taken as a pessary with honey before sexual intercourseit is thought to hinder conception. It grows among barleyand wheat.

3-147. ONOSMA

SUGGESTED: Onosma echioides — Hairy OnosmaALSO: Onosma tauricum, Onosma orientale, Onosma sericeum

Onosma has soft leaves similar to those of anchusa,somewhat long, the length of four fingers but the

breadth of one finger, scattered on the earth very likethose of anchusa [4-23 to 4-26]; but it is without stalk, seed,or flowers. The little root lies underneath, somewhat

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long, weak, thin, and reddish. It grows in rough places. Adecoction of the leaves of this (taken as a drink in wine) isan abortifacient. They say also that if one with child walks over this herb, she aborts. It is also called osmas, phlonitis,or ononis.

3-148. NUMPHAIA

SUGGESTED: Nymphaea candida [Fuchs],Nymphaea alba major [Bauhin], Nymphaea alba [Linnaeus]

— Water Nymph, White Water Lily, Flatter Dock

Nymphaea grows in marshes and standing waters; ithas many leaves similar to those of the Egyptian

bean, yet smaller and somewhat longer, all from the same root, some (in a way) standing above the water, andothers also in the water. The flowers are white, similar toa lily, with the middle a saffron colour, but when it hasdone blooming it becomes round in a circumference likean apple, or the head of poppy — black; in which is ablack seed, broad, thick, clammy to the taste. The stalk issmooth, not thick, black, similar to that of the Egyptianbean. The root is black, coarse, like a sceptre, and it isharvested in the autumn. This (dried and taken as a drink with wine) helps coeliac [intestinal] complaints anddysentery, and reduces the spleen. The root is applied for disorders of the stomach and bladder; with water it takesaway psoriasis, and applied with pitch it cures baldness.The root is taken as a drink for lecherous dreams becauseit relieves these. It causes a faintness of the genitals for afew days if one drinks it continuously, and a decoction ofthe seed (taken as a drink) does the same. It seems to becalled nymphaea because it loves watery places. It is foundin abundance at Helis on the river Anigrus, and inAliartus, Boeotia.

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3-149. NUMPHAIA ALLE

SUGGESTED: Nymphaea lutea [Fuchs], Nymphaea lutea major [Bauhin], Nymphaea lutea [Linnaeus],

Nymphaea luteum, Nuphar luteum [in Sprague] — Yellow Water Lily, Brandy Bottle

There is also another nymphaea (the flower of which iscalled nuphar) which has leaves similar to that

previously mentioned, but it has a coarse white root, anda glittering yellowish flower (like a rose). A decoction ofthe root and seed (taken as a drink in black wine) is goodfor the excessive menstrual discharges of women. Itgrows in places around Thessalia near the river Peneus. It is also called nymphona.

3-150. ANDROSACES

SUGGESTED: Androsace lactea — Androsace, Sea Navelwort ALSO: Androsace obtusifolia

Androsaces grows in sea-bordering places in Syria. The herb is thin, with slender, bitter, leafless branches,

having on its head a pod containing the seed. Twoteaspoonfuls of a decoction (taken as a drink with wine)is able to encourage much urine in dropsy; and adecoction of the herb and the seed (taken as a drink) doesthe same. It is smeared usefully upon gout. It is also called picras, leuce, or thalassia.

3-151. ASPLENON

SUGGESTED: Asplenium adiantium-nigrum, Adiantium-nigrum — Black Maidenhair Fern, Black Spleenwort, Black Oak Fern

Adiantum capillus veneris, Herba capillorum-veneris— Maidenhair, Venus’s Hair, Capillaire

see 3-121

Asplenon has many leaves (similar to the creaturescalled centipedes and millipedes) growing round

about out of one root. It grows on walls and shady rocksor pebble stones — stalkless, flowerless, seedless, [itsleaves] cut-in like those of fern, yellowish and roughunderneath, but green above. The leaves (boiled with

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vinegar and taken as a drink for forty days) are able toreduce the spleen, but you must also rub the spleen withthe leaves pounded into small pieces with wine. It helpsslow painful urination, hiccups and jaundice, and breaksstones in the bladder. It is thought to be a cause ofbarrenness (used alone or hung about one with thespleen of a mule) but they say that to cause barrenness itmust be dug up when the night is moonless. It is alsocalled scolopendrium, splenium, hemionion, pteryx, lonchitis,aturius, phrygia, phrygitis, or philtrodotes, while the Magicall it the blood of a weasel.

3-152. EMIONITIS

SUGGESTED: Hemionitis, Scolopendria, Lingua cervina [Fuchs],Lingua cervina officinarum [Bauhin], Asplenium scolopendrium,

Phyllitis scolopendrium [Linnaeus] — Hart's-tongue Fern

[other usage] Hemionitis [Bedevian] — Mulewort, Hemionitis

Hemionitis puts out a horned leaf similar todracunculus [2-196b] (like the third-day moon). The

many slender roots are underneath, but it bears no stalk,seed, or flower. It grows in rocky places. The herb isastringent to the taste and is taken as a drink with vinegar to reduce the spleen. It is also called splenium.

3-153. ANTHULLIS

SUGGESTED: Anthyllis vulneraria, Anthyllis prior — Kidney Vetch, Lady’s Fingers, Wound Wort

Anthyllis barba jovis — Jove’s Beard, Jupiter’s Beard Anthyllis cretica — Cretan Kidney Vetch

There are two types of anthyllis. One has leaves similarto lens [lentils], and upright little branches the height

of twenty centimetres, with the leaves soft, the rootslender and little. It grows in sandy sunny places,somewhat salty to the taste. The other kind is similar in its leaves and small branches to chamepitys [3-175], but theyare rougher, shorter, and sharper. The flower is a purplecolour, smelling extremely strong, the root like chicory.Two teaspoonfuls of a decoction (taken as a drink) hasconsiderable strength to help frequent painful urination

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and inflamed kidneys. Pounded into small pieces andgiven as a pessary (with rosaceum [1-53] and milk) theysoften inflammations of the womb. They also healwounds, and a decoction (taken as a drink with vinegarand honey) of that which is similar to chamepitys healsepilepsy (among other things). It is also called anthyllon,anthemis, eranthemis, leucanthemon, soranthis, or floscampestris; the Romans call it solaster.

3-154. ANTHEMIS, ANTHEMISPORPHURANTHES, ANTHEMIS

MELANANTHES

SUGGESTED: Chamaemelon leucanthemum [Fuchs, Brunfels],Chamaemelum vulgare, Leucanthemum Dioscoridis [Bauhin],

Matricaria recucita, Matricaria chamomilla [Linnaeus]— Wild Chamomile

Chamaemelum chrysanthemum [Fuchs], Anthemis tinctoria[Linnaeus] — Dyers Chamomile, Yellow Chamomile

Chamaemelum eranthemon [Fuchs], Consolida regia [Brunfels],Consolida regalis arvensis [Bauhin],

Delphinium consolida [Linnaeus] — Forking Larkspur

There are three kinds of anthemis (differing only intheir flowers) the branches twenty centimetres long,

shrubby, with many wings. The smaller branches arelittle, thin, many, with little round heads, within themflowers of gold colour; but outside there are round aboutwhite, yellowish, or purple leaves, the quantities likethose of rue. It grows in rough places and byways. It isgathered in the spring. The roots, flowers, and herb havea warming, relieving strength. Taken as a drink of adecoction (or by bathing) they expel the menstrual flow,are abortifacient, expel stones [urinary, kidney], andinduce urine. They are taken as a drink for gaseousness,and for suffering from intestinal obstruction; they cleanaway jaundice, and cure liver ailments; and a decoctionof them is used in warm packs for the bladder. The mosteffective for those troubled with stones is that of a purplecolour, which in all respects is the bigger, properly callederanthemon. That called leucanthemon is more urinary, aswell as chrysanthemon. Smeared on they cure ulcers in theinner angle of the eye. Chewed, they cure apta [aptha —thrush in children or candidiasis]. Some also use it as a

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suppository (beating it finely with oil) for recurrentfevers. The leaves and flowers must be stored when theyhave been pounded apart and made into little balls. Theroot is dried and stored. When there is need of itsometimes give two parts of the herb, sometimes one part of the flower or root. Sometimes the opposite — give twoparts of the flower and one of the herb, doubling it byturn every other day — and you must drink it in dilutedhoney. (Chamomile pounded into small pieces withrosaceum [1-53] cures fevers. It is an effective plant forthose who are reasonably well. The shortest is best andgrows in sandy places, and physicians remove them atthe beginning of spring). It is also called leucanthemon, oreranthemon because it flowers in the spring; some call itchamemelum because of the similarity of its smell toapples; some call it melanthemon, chrysocome, or callias; theRomans call it malium, and the Africans, astertiphe.

3-155. PARTHENION (AMARAKON)

SUGGESTED: Amaracinum, Parthenium, Cotula foetida [Fuchs],Chamaemelum foetidum [Bauhin], Anthemis cotula [Linnaeus]

— Stinking Chamomile, Mayweed [Mabberley]

[other usage] Origanum amaracus — Amaracus Origanum dictamnus, Dictamnus creticus, Amaracus dictamnus

— Dittany of Crete, Burning Bush

Parthenium has thin leaves (similar to coriander); thewhite flowers are in a circle, their middle is yellow,

and they are somewhat poisonous to smell and bitter totaste. Dried and taken as a drink with vinegar and honey(or with salt) it is able to drive phlegm and choleradownward and out, and to help the asthmatic anddepressive. The herb (without its flower) is effective(given in drink) for urinary stones and the asthmatic. Adecoction of it is fit for bathing a hardened and inflamedwomb. It is applied (with its flowers) for skininflammation and other inflammation. It is also calledamaracum, leucanthemon, anthemis, chamemelum,chrysocalis, melabathrum, or flos campestris; the Romans callit solis oculus, or millefolium, the Etruscans, cautan, and theAfricans, thamacth.

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3-156. BUPHTHALMON

SUGGESTED: Buphthalmum, Oculis bovis [Fuchs], Chamaemelum inodorum [Bauhin], Matricaria inodora[Linnaeus] — False Chamomile, Scentless Mayweed

[other usage] Buphthalmum graveolens — Ox-eyeBuphthalmum salicifolium —Yellow Ox-eye Daisy

Anthemis arvensis, Chamaemelum arvensis, Buphthalmum — Corn Chamomile

It is believed that the buhphthalmum of Pliny is a species of anthemis [Loudon].

Buphthalmum sends out somewhat slender tender little stalks, leaves like marathrum [3-81], yellowish flowers

— bigger than anthemis, similar to eyes (from which it isnamed). It grows in fields and around towns. The flowers of this (pounded into small pieces with wax ointment)dissolve oedema and hard lumps. They say that adecoction (taken as a drink after coming out from a bath)causes the jaundiced to have a good colour for some time.

You must gather buphthalmum while the moon isincreasing. It is used against fears, devils, enchantments,and poisons (turning aside these things); and if anyonechews the root (and afterwards spits it out) itimmediately stops mucus, eases toothache, and loosensthe bowels. It is also called cachlan, or balsamina, the Magicall it haemorrha, some, genitura Mercurii, semenincorruptibile, or mnesitheos; the Romans call itkappacorania, and the Africans, narat.

3-157. PAIONIA ARREN, PAIONIATHELEIA

SUGGESTED: Paeonia foemina [Fuchs], Paeonia communis[Bauhin], Paeonia officinalis var foemina [Linnaeus]

— Female Peony, Garden Peony

POISONOUS

Peonia (or glycyside) some call pentoboron, and they callthe root paeonia. The stalk grows as high as two feet

with many branches. The male has leaves similar to thecarya [1-178], but the female is jagged in the leaves(similar to smyrnium [3-78, 3-79]). It sends out certainpods on the top of the stalk similar to almonds, whichopened are found to contain five or six little red grains

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similar to those of the pomegranate — black in themiddle, inclining to purple. The root of the male is aboutthe thickness of a finger and twenty centimetres inheight, astringent to taste, white. On the root of thefemale there are seven or eight tubers similar to acorns,like asphodelus [2-199]. The root is given to women whoare not cleansed after childbirth. The amount of analmond (of a decoction taken as a drink) induces themenstrual flow. A decoction (taken as a drink with wine)helps pains in the intestines, jaundice, inflamed kidneys,and pain in the bladder. A decoction (boiled in wine andtaken as a drink) stops discharges of the bowels. Adecoction of ten or twelve red grains of the seed (taken asa drink in black hard wine) stops bloody excessivedischarges (in women). Eaten, they help those who feelgnawing at the stomach, and taken as a drink and eatenby children they take away the beginnings of stones[kidney, urinary]. A decoction of as much as fifteengrains of the black [part] (taken as a drink in honey wateror wine) is good both for suffocation that comes fromnightmares, and for suffocation of the womb anddisorders of the mother [pregnancy]. Peony grows on the tops of the highest mountains.

The herb peony is plucked up in the heat of the dogdays [summer] before sunrise; it is hanged about one andis good against poisons, bewitching, fears, and devils andtheir assaults, and against fevers that come withshivering whether by night, or day, or paroxysm. And itis said that (sometimes) growing on a hill where therewere devils, it drove them away.

The male peonie some call orobelium, orobax,haemagogum, paeseden, menogenion, menion, paeonium,panthiceratos, idaei dactyli, aglaophotis, theodonium, orselenion, the Magi call it selenogonon, some, phthisi and theRomans, casta.

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3-158. LITHOSPERMON

SUGGESTED: Lithospermum, Lithospermum sativum [Fuchs],Lithospermum majus erectum [Bauhin],

Lithospermum officinale [Linnaeus], Milium solis, — Common Gromwell, Pearl Plant

Some call lithospermon 'Heraclean' because of thestrength of the seed, which is also called lithospermon.

It has leaves similar to those of the olive, but longer,broader and softer, and those around the bottom lie onthe ground. The small branches are straight, slender, thethickness of the sharp bulrush, strong, woody. On thecloven top of them is a springing-out (similar to littlebudded stems) with long leaves, among which is a roundwhite stone seed similar to the little ervum [2-129, 2-131].It grows in rough eminent places. A decoction of the seed (taken as a drink with white wine) is able to break stones[kidney, urinary], and expel urine. Some call itaegonychon, exonychon, leontion, lapis leoninus, gorgonium,tantalitis, or diosporon, the Romans call it columba, and theDacians, gonoleta.

3-159. PHALARIS

SUGGESTED: Phalaris arundinacea, Phalaris canariensis — Canary Grass, Phalaris

Phalaris sends out many little stalks from slenderuseless roots — the breadth of two hands, knotty,

similar to reeds, resembling those of zea [Triticum zea], yetmore slender and sweet in taste. The leaves are similar tothose of zea. The white seed is abundant like millet, andsomewhat long. The herb (cut and juiced with water orwine and so taken as a drink) is able to be effective fordisorders of the bladder and sperm; a spoonful of adecoction (taken as a drink with water) is good for thesame purposes.

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3-160. ERUTHRODANON

SUGGESTED: Rubia sativa [Fuchs], Rubia tinctorum [Fuchs,Linnaeus], Rubia tinctorum sativa [Bauhin] — Dyer’s Madder

Rubia sylvestris [Fuchs], Rubia sylvestris laevis [Bauhin], Gallium molugo — Hedge Bedstraw [Mabberley]

[other usage] Rubia peregrina — Wild Madder

Some call eruthrodanum 'erythodanon'. The red root issuitable for dying. Some of it is wild, some sown — as

in Thabana, Galilee and Ravenna, Italy and in Caria —sown among the olives, like in the fields. It is sownusefully because much gain is made of it. The stalks of itare four-cornered, long, rough, similar to those of aparine,but in every respect bigger and stronger, having theleaves at distances at every joint lying about like stars in acircle. The seed is round, at first green, afterwards red,after that it is ripe, black. The root is thin, long, red, anddiuretic; as a result a decoction (taken as a drink withhoney and water) helps jaundice, sciatica, and paralysis.It draws out quantities of thick urine, and sometimes alsoblood. Those who drink it must be washed every day andthe difference of their voided excrement viewed. Adecoction of the stalk with the leaves (taken as a drink)helps those bitten by venomous creatures, and adecoction (taken as a drink with vinegar and honey)reduces the spleen. The root (inserted as a pessary) is anabortifacient, and draws out the menstrual flow andafterbirth. Smeared on with vinegar it cures whitevitiligines [form of leprosy]. The root some call dracons,some, cinnabar, the Romans, rubia passiva, the Etruscians,lappa minor, the Egyptians, sophobi, some ereuthodanum,and it is also called teuthrion.

3-161. LONCHITIS

SUGGESTED: Lonchitis, Polypodium lonchitis, Serapias, Aspidium lonchitis — Shield Fern, Holly Fern

see 3-162

Lonchitis has many leaves very similar to leek, yetbroader and somewhat red, broken about towards

the root (and as it were) lying on the ground. It also has a

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few around the stalk, on which are flowers — similar tolittle hats in shape (similar to comical persons openingtheir mouths wide) — and they are black, but some whitething arises from them, from opening the mouth widetowards the lower lip (as it were) a little tongue. The seedis shut in three-cornered cases shaped like a spearhead,from which it was thought worthy of its surname. Theroot is similar to daucus. It grows in rough, dry places. Adecoction of the root of this (taken as a drink) with wine is diuretic. It is also called cestron, or medusa; the Romanscall it venerea, or lanceola.

3-162. LONCHITIS ETERA

SUGGESTED: Shield Fern, Holly Fern — Lonchitis, Polypodium lonchitis, Serapias, Aspidium lonchitis

see 3-161

Lonchitis altera (also called the rough lonchitis) sendsout leaves similar to scolopendrium [3-121], but

sharper, bigger, and more jagged. A decoction (taken as adrink with vinegar) is able to cure wounds and removeinflammation, and it reduces the spleen. The Romans callit longina, or calabrina.

3-163. ALTHAIA

SUGGESTED: Althaea [Fuchs], Althaea Dioscoridis et Plinii[Bauhin], Althaea officinalis [Linnaeus], Bismalva, Hibiscus

— Marsh Mallow, White Mallow

Althaea is a kind of wild mallow, the downy leavesround like cyclamen. It has a rose-like flower, the

stalk two feet high, and a clammy root, white within. It iscalled althaea for its many properties and various uses.Boiled in honey and water or wine (or pounded by itself)it is good for wounds, parotitis [inflamed glands e.g.mumps], swellings, suppurations, inflamed breasts,disorders of the perineum, bruises, flatulent tumours,and distension of the nerves. It dissolves and ripens, orbreaks and brings to a scar. Boiled (as above) andkneaded together with swines’ grease, goose grease orturpentine it is good in a pessary for inflammation andclosures of the womb. A decoction of it does the same,

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also expelling the so-called bodily wastes. A decoction ofthe root (taken as a drink with wine) helps dysentery,pains in the hips, trembling, and those troubled withhernia; and it soothes toothache, boiled with vinegar andthe mouth washed with it. The seed (either green or dry)pounded into small pieces and rubbed on with vinegar in the sun cleans vitiligines [form of leprosy]. Rubbed onwith oxelaeum [from oxalis or wood sorrel] it prevents hurt from poisonous beasts. It is effective against dysentery,vomiting blood, and excessive discharges from thebowels. A decoction of the seed (taken as a drink) is goodagainst bee stings, and those of all small creatures (takenas a drink in wine or posca [hot drinks]); and the leaves(with a little oil) are laid on bites and on those who areburned. The root thickens water (pounded into smallpieces, mixed, and placed out in the open air). It is alsocalled ibiscus, or althiocon.

3-164. ALKEA

SUGGESTED: Alcea [Fuchs, Brunfels], Alcea vulgaris major[Bauhin], Malva alcea [Linnaeus] — Hollyhock [Mabberley]

[other usage] Alcea cannabina, Althea cannabina — Egyptian Hemp

Alcea is a kind of wild mallow having cut-in leavessimilar to those of the holy herb. It has three or four

stalks, a bark similar to cannabis [3-165], a little flowersimilar to a rose, and five or six broad white roots almost a foot long. A decoction of these (taken as a drink withwine or water) cures dysentery and hernias.

3-165. KANNABIS EMEROS

SUGGESTED: Cannabis sativa [Fuchs, Brunfels, Linnaeus], Cannabis gigantea — Hemp

Cannabis is a plant of considerable use in this life fortwisting very strong ropes. It bears leaves with a bad

scent, similar to the ash; long hollow stalks, and a roundseed. Eaten in quantities these quench conception. Theherb (juiced while green) is good for earaches. It is alsocalled cannabium, schoenostrophon, or asterion; the Romanscall it cannabis.

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3-166. KANNABIS AGRIA

SUGGESTED: Hibiscus cannabinus — Hemp Mallow, Deccan Hemp

Cannabis sativa var indica — Indian Hemp Datisca cannabina — Cretan Hemp Plant, Bastard Hemp

Cannabis sylvestris bears little stems similar to those ofalthea [3-163] but darker, sharper and smaller. The

leaves are similar to the cultivated but sharper anddarker. The reddish flowers are similar to lychnis [3-114,3-115], with the seed and root similar to althea. The root(boiled and applied) is able to lessen inflammation,dissolve oedema, and disperse hardened matter aroundthe joints. The bark of this is suitable for twining ropes. Itis also called hydrastina, the Romans call it terminalis, andsome, cannabis.

3-167. ANAGURIS [ONAGURIS]

SUGGESTED: Anagyris foetida — Bean Clover, Stinking Wood

Anagyris is a shrub similar to a tree, its leaves andstems very similar to agnus castus [1-135], with an

extremely strong scent. The flowers are similar to brassica,the seed in long little horns shaped like kidneys,variously coloured, solid. They harden when the grapesripen. The tender leaves of this (pounded into smallpieces and applied) repress oedema. A teaspoonful isgiven to drink in passum [raisin wine] for asthma, as wellas for expulsion of the afterbirth and menstrual flow, andas an abortifacient. It is given with wine for headaches. Itis hung as an amulet on those who have hard labour [ingiving birth], yet one must at once (after the woman’sdelivery) take off the amulet and put it away. The juice ofthe root dissolves and ripens. The seed (eaten)encourages vomiting excessively. It is also calledanagyros, acopon, or agnacopum.

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3-168. KEPAIA

UNKNOWN

Cepea is a succulent similar to portulaca [4-168], yet ithas darker leaves, and a thin root. A decoction of the

leaves (taken as a drink with wine) helps slow painfulurination and those who have a scabbed bladder, andhelps most taken as a drink with a decoction of the rootsof that asparagus called myacanthus.

3-169. ALISMA

SUGGESTED: Plantago-aquatica, Alisma, Damasonium [Fuchs],Plantago-aquatica latifolia, Alisma plantago-aquatica [Linnaeus]

— Water Plantain, Mad-dog Weed

see 1-11

Alisma has leaves similar to plantain but narrower and bending down toward the earth. The stalk is

slender, single, more than a foot high, with little headssimilar to a thyrsus [staff]. The flowers are thin, white, and somewhat pale. The roots are like black hellebore — thin,sweet-smelling, sharp, somewhat thick; it loves wateryplaces. One or two teaspoonfuls of a decoction of the root(taken as a drink with wine) is good for those who haveeaten sea hare [2-20], or been bitten by a toad, and thosewho have drunk opium [antidote]. It helps griping anddysentery by itself (or taken as a drink with an equalamount of daucus seed). It is also good for convulsions,and disorders of the womb. The herb itself (applied) stops discharges of the intestines, expels the menstrual flow,and soothes oedema. It is also called alcea, damassonium,acyron, or lyron.

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3-170. ONOBRUCHIS

SUGGESTED: Hedysarum onobrychis, Onobrychis sativa, Onobrychis viciaefolia — Sanfoin, Holy Clover, French Grass

Onobrychis christagalli — Medick Vetch

see 3-41

Onobrychis has leaves similar to lens [lentils] but alittle longer, a stalk twenty centimetres long, a

purple flower, and a small root. It grows in moistundisturbed places. The herb (pounded into small piecesand smeared on) is able to dissolve tubercles [growths],and a decoction (taken as a drink with wine) cures slowpainful urination. Rubbed on with oil it encouragessweating. It is also called onobrochilos, eschasmene,hypericum, corion, or chamepitys, the Romans call it opaca,some, brichilata, lopta, or iuncinalis, and the Dacians,aniassexe.

3-171. UPERIKON

SUGGESTED: Hypericum, Perforata [Fuchs], Hypericum vulgare[Bauhin], Hypericum perforatum [Linnaeus]

— Klamath Weed [Mabberley]

Hypericum is a shrub twenty centimetres high, full ofreddish branches, with a yellowish flower that

(crushed with the fingers) yields a bloody juice — whichis why it is called androsemon. It has leaves similar to rue.The small pods are somewhat rough, long in thecircumference, the size of barley, in which is a black seedsmelling of rosin. It grows in tilled and rough places. Ithas a diuretic strength, and inserted as a pessary movesthe menstrual flow. A decoction (taken as a drink withwine) drives away fevers with paroxysms ocurring everythird or fourth day. A decoction of the seed (taken as adrink for forty days) cures sciatica. The leaves (appliedtogether with the seed) heal burns. It is also calledandrosemon, corion, or chamepitys, because the seed issimilar in smell to the rosin of pine.

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3-172. ASKURON

SUGGESTED: Ascyrum [Fuchs], Androsaemum hirsutum[Bauhin], Hypericum hirsutum [Linnaeus]

Siberian St John’s Wort — Hypericum ascyron

Ascyrum is also a kind of hypericum, differing in size,bigger in the branches, more full of sprigs, and with

the small leaves appearing a purple colour; it bearsyellow flowers, and fruit (similar to hypericum) smellingof rosin, and bruised (as it were), staining the fingers with blood, so that it is called acrosemon for this. A decoction ofthe fruit (taken as a drink with a pint of honey water) isavailable for sciatica. It expels much bilious excrement. Itmust be given continuously until they are cured.Smeared on, it is good for burns. It is also called ascyroides,or acrosemon.

3-173. ANDROSAIMON

SUGGESTED: Androsaeumum [Fuchs], Hypericum montanum [Linnaeus] — Mountain St John's Wort

[other usage] Androsaemum hircinum, Hypericum hircinum — Stinking St John’s Wort, Goat-scented St John’s Wort

Androsaemum officinale, Hypericum androsaemum — Tutsan,Park Leaves, All Saint’s Wort

Androsemum differs from hypericum and from ascyrumbeing a shrub of thin branches, full of sprigs. The

little stems are a purple colour, the leaves three times orfour times bigger than rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98], which sendout a juice similar to wine when bruised. It has manywings on the top open on each side and feathered,around which are small little flowers of a yellowishcolour. The seed is in a little cup similar to that of blackpoppy (as it were) marked with lines and points. Thefilaments yield a rosin-like smell when bruised. Twoteaspoonfuls of the seed of this (pounded into smallpieces and taken in a drink) expel bilious excrement, andit especially cures sciatica. One must sip water after thepurge. The herb (smeared on) heals burns and stopsblood. It is also called dionysias, or ascyron.

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3-174. KORIS

SUGGESTED: Hypericum coris — Heath-leaved St John’s Wort,Coris

Coris monspeliensis, Symphytum petraeum [Bedevian] — Montpellier Coris

see 3-88, 4-9

Coris has a leaf similar to erica but smaller, fatter andred. It is a shrub twenty centimetres high, pleasant-

tasting, sharp, and with a good smell. A decoction of theseed of this (taken as a drink with wine) induces thepassage of urine and the menstrual flow. A decoction(taken as a drink with pepper) helps those bitten byharvest spiders, or with sciatica, tetanus, or chills. Usedwith oil it is also an effective ointment for severe spasms.The root of this (boiled with wine and taken as a drink) isthought to help those who faint often. It is necessary forthe patient when drinking it to be well covered all overfor it causes the whole body to sweat, and from this onerecovers agility. Some also call this hypericum.

3-175. CHAMAIPITUS

SUGGESTED: Chamaepitys lutea vulgaris [Bauhin],Teucrium chamaepitys [Linnaeus], Ajuga chamaepitys [in

Sprague] — Ground Pine, Yellow Bugle

Chamaepitys is a bow-backed herb creeping on theground, with leaves similar to the smaller

sempervivum [4-89, 4-90, 4-91], but much thinner, fatterand rough, thick around the branches, with a smell ofpine. The flowers are thin and yellow, (or white) and theroot is like that of chicory. A decoction of the leaves of this (taken as a drink with wine for seven days) curesjaundice. A decoction (taken as a drink with honey waterfor forty days) cures hip pains. It is given (effectively) forliver complaints, frequent painful urination andinflamed kidneys, and it is good for griping. In Heraclea,Pontus they use it as an antidote, giving a decoction todrink against aconitum [4-77, 4-78]. Polenta (moistenedwith a decoction of the herb) is applied for the purposesmentioned above. Pounded into small pieces with figs(and given as a pill) it soothes the bowels. Taken with

539


honey, scales aeris [flakes of fish of the air], and rosin itpurges. Applied as a pessary (with honey) it expels things from the womb. Smeared on with honey it dissolves hard lumps in the breasts, heals wounds, and represses herpes[viral skin infection]. It is also called pitusorusis, ororizelon, in Pontus they call it holocyron, or wild bryony,the Athenians call it ionia, in Euboea it is called sideritis;the Magi call it sanguis Minervae, the Romans, cupripum,and the Dacians dochela.

3-176. CHAMAIPITUS ETERA,CHAMAIPITUS TRITE

SUGGESTED: Ajuga chia — Chia Bugle Ajuga iva, Teucrium iva — Herb Ivy, Musky Bugle

Ajuga reptans — Bugle Weed, Common Bugle

There is also another chamaepitys with branches a footlong, curved in the shape of an anchor, with thin

sprigs, filaments similar to that above, and a white flower, but a black seed. This also smells of pine. There is a thirdkind called the male. It is a smooth little herb, with thinsmall leaves, white and rough, with a coarse white stalk,small yellowish flowers, and a little seed with wings. Thisalso smells of pine. These have a similar strength to thatpreviously mentioned, yet are not as effective.


540

Delphinium peregrinum



541

Betonica sylvestris altera

from FUCHS — 1545

542

Polygonum mas

from FUCHS — 1545

BOOK FOUR: OTHERHERBS & ROOTS

In the three books before this, best beloved Areius, Ihave spoken of aromatic matters, oils, ointments, trees,

living creatures, cereals, vegetables, roots, juices, herbsand seeds. In this the fourth book we will discuss herbsand roots not previously mentioned.

4-1. KESTRON

SUGGESTED: Betonica [Fuchs], Betonica purpurea [Bauhin], Betonica officinalis [Linnaeus], Stachys officinalis [in Sprague],

Stachys betonica — Betony, Woundwort, Bishop’s Wort, Hedge Nettle, Windflower

[other usage] Cestrum nocturnum — Night Jasmine

Cestron is a herb with a thin four-cornered stalk theheight of a foot or more, the leaves long, soft, similar

to the oak, jagged all around, smelling well. They arebigger towards the root, and on the top of the stalks liesthe seed encased in an ear like thymbra [3-45]. They oughtto dry the leaves after gathering, as there is the most useof these. The roots underneath are thin like hellebore. Adrink of a decoction of these (with honey water)encourages vomit, throwing up phlegmy stuff. Adecoction of a teaspoonful of the leaves is taken as a drink with honey water for convulsions, hernia, disorders ofthe womb, and womb constriction. Three teaspoonfulsare given with a pint of wine to those bitten by venomous creatures. The herb (applied) helps those bitten byvenomous creatures, and a teaspoonful of a decoction(taken as a drink with wine) helps against deadly poisons[antidote]. If anyone drinks it (beforehand) he shall notbe hurt, although he takes a deadly medicine. It is alsourinary, and draws out the menstrual flow. Fourteaspoonfuls of a decoction (taken as a drink with tencups of honey water) purge. It is good with honey fortuberculosis of the lungs, and for spitting up pus, but theleaves must be dried, pounded into small pieces, andstored in a ceramic jar. It is called psychotrophon because itis found in the coldest places. The Romans call it vetonica,or rosmarinus.


543

Betony - Betonica officinalis,Stachys officinalis


4-2. BETTONIKE

SUGGESTED: Betonica sylvestris una [Fuchs], Caryophyllus sylvestris vulgaris latifolius [Bauhin],

Dianthus carthusianorum [Linnaeus] — Carthusian Pink Betonica coronaria, Dianthus caryophyllus,

Caryophyllus domesticus — Carnation, Picotee, Clove Pink

Betonica, britannica, or vettonica is an herb with leavessimilar to lapathum sylvestre [2-140] but darker, with

more filaments, and astringent to the taste. It sends out astalk that is not great, and a short thin root. The leaves arejuiced and thickened by stirring in the sun or over a fire.It is astringent — suitable for gangrenous ulceration inthe mouth and tonsils. It is available for everything elsethat needs an astringent. Betony grows in meadows andhilly, clean, mild places around shrubs. It preserves boththe souls and bodies of men. It is effective againstnight-walking, harmful places, and difficult sleep; and itis recommended for all types of cures. It has a root all red,and with a good scent. The leaves are like leek, themiddle of the leaves is a reddish colour, and they arethree-cornered into an upright stalk. On them are purpleflowers. The strength of it is as follows. Bruised when it isnew and applied to the wound of a broken head it makesit painless. It heals wounds and extracts broken bones. Itdoes this if changed every day until it is healed. Boiledwith water and applied with hot cloths, or rubbedaround the temples with bitumen it heals headaches. The smoke of the root is also inhaled for them.

4-3. LUSIMACHION

SUGGESTED: Lysimachia purpurea [Fuchs], Epilobium hirsutum[Linnaeus] — Apple Pie, Codlins and Cream

Lysimachia lutea [Fuchs], Lysimachia vulgaris [Linnaeus] — Common Yellow Loosestrife

see 4-118

Lysimachia sends out thin stalks a foot high (or evenhigher) at the joints of which thin leaves emerge,

similar to those of the willow, astringent to the taste. Theflowers are red or a golden colour. It grows in marshyplaces and near water. The juice of the leaves is

544

BOOK FOUR: OTHER HERBS & ROOTS


545

Polygonum bistorta


546


Lysimachia lutea

from FUCHS — 1545

astringent, and a liquid medicine of it, enema, orsuppository, is good for throwing-up blood anddysentery. In a pessary it stops women’s excessivemenstrual discharges. The herb is effective stuffed in thenostrils for flows of blood. It is also a wound herb andstaunches blood. The smoke (inhaled) has very sharpfumes so that it both drives away snakes, and kills flies. Itis also called lytron.

4-4. POLUGONON ARREN

SUGGESTED: Polygonum-mas [Fuchs], Polygonum latifolium[Bauhin], Polygonum aviculare [Linnaeus] — Knotgrass,

Centinode, Knotweed, Armstrong

medicinal, food

The male polygonon is a tender herb with many slender branches surrounded with joints, creeping along the

earth like grass, the leaves similar to those of rue [3-52,3-53, 4-98] but somewhat longer and softer. It has seed byevery leaf, which is why it is called the male. The flower is white or purple.

The juice (taken as a drink) is astringent and cooling.It is effective for bloodspitters, discharges from theintestines, biliousness, and slow painful urination. It alsoevidently causes an urge to urinate, and taken as a drinkwith wine it helps those bitten by venomous creatures.Taken one hour before the fit it helps the circuits of acutefevers. It stops women's excessive menstrual dischargesused as a pessary, and dropped in the ears it is good forear sores and their pus. Boiled with wine (and alsoadding honey) it is excellent for ulcers on the genitals.The leaves are applied for burning of the stomach,throwing-up blood, for herpes [viral skin infection],erysipela [streptococcal skin infection], inflammation, andfresh wounds. It is also called polygonaton, cynochalem,herculea, asphalton, chiliophullon, clema, polycarpon,carcinethron, peuthalida, myrtopetalon, cnopodion, zarithea, or pedalion. The Egyptians call it thephin, some, stemphin, theMagi, genitura herois, some, unguis muris, the Romans,seminalis, some, stopinaca, and the Africans, chulum.


547

4-5. POLUGONON THELU

SUGGESTED: Polygonum amphibium — Amphibious Persicaria Polygonum hydropiper — Persicaria, Water Pepper

The female polygonon is a little shrub with one stalk,tender, similar to a reed, with continuous joints lying

on one another like a trumpet, and all around the jointsthere are small leaves similar to those of the pine. Theroot is of no use. It grows in watery places. It is astringentand cooling, doing the same things as that above becauseit is not weaker. The Romans call it seminalis.

4-6. POLUGONATON

SUGGESTED: Polygonatum latifolium [Fuchs], Polygonatum multiflorum [in Sprague] — Solomon’s SealPolygonatum angustifolium [Fuchs], Convallaria verticillata

[Linnaeus], Polygonatum verticillatum [in Sprague], Polygonatum officinale, Polygonatum vulgare, Polygonatum,

Convallaria polygonatum, Sigillium salomonis — Solomon’s Seal, Sealwort

Polygonatum grows on hills, a shrub higher than a foot,with leaves similar to laurel but broader and

smoother, somewhat similar in taste to a quince orpomegranate, for it tastes astringent. At every emergingof the leaves are white flowers in a larger quantity thanthe leaves, the number to be reckoned from the root. Ithas a white root — soft, long, with many thick joints,strongly scented, the thickness of a finger — goodapplied on wounds, and to take away spots on the face.

4-7a. KLEMATIS

SUGGESTED: Clematis daphnoides [Fuchs, Bauhin], Vinca minor [Linnaeus] — Running Myrtle, Periwinkle

Clematis grows in good soil. It has small vinelikebranches, as much as the thickness of juncus [4-52,

1-16], and a little leaf similar to laurel both in shape andcolour, but much smaller. A decoction of the leaves andthe stalks of this (taken as a drink with wine) lessenexcessive discharges of the bowels and dysentery.

548



549

Polygonatum vulgare


550


Clematis daphnoides

from FUCHS — 1545

Applied in a pessary with milk and rosaceum [1-53] (orcyprinum [1-65]) it cures pains of the womb. Chewed, iteases toothache; applied, it helps those bitten byvenomous creatures. It is said that a decoction (taken as adrink with vinegar) helps those bitten by snakes. It grows in untilled ground. It is also called daphnoides, myrsinoides, polygonoides, or philetaerium.

4-7b. KLEMATIS ETERA

SUGGESTED: Clematis cirrhosa — Evergreen Clematis Clematis angustifolia —Virgin's Bower

Clematis alpina — Alpine Clematis

POISONOUS

There is another clematis which sends out a vinelikebranch, reddish, flexible; the leaf extremely sharp to

the taste and ulcerating. It winds around trees like smilax[4-144, 4-145]. The seed of this (pounded into small piecesand taken as a drink with water or honey water) drivesphlegm and bile downward. The leaves (applied as apoultice) drive away leprosy. They are preserved withlepidium [2-205] to eat with meat [vegetable]. It is alsocalled epigetis, the Egyptians call it phylacuum, and theRomans, ambuxus.

4-8. POLEMONION

SUGGESTED: Polemonium caeruleum — Charity, Jacob’s Ladder, Greek Valerian

Polemonia has thin little winged branches, with leavesa little bigger than rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98], but longer

like those of polygonum [4-4, 4-5] or calamint. On the topof them is what looks like clusters of berries, in which areblack seeds. The root is a foot long, whitish, similar tostruthium [2-193]. It grows in hilly, rough places.The rootof this is taken as a drink in wine against venomouscreatures, and with water for dysentery, painfulurination, and sciatica. A teaspoonful with vinegar isgiven for the spleen. The root of this is carried around one to prevent scorpions striking. They say that those whohave this shall not be bitten, and though they are touched

551


yet nothing will happen. Chewed, it eases toothaches. Itis also called philetaeria, while the Cappadocians call itchiliodynamis.

4-9. SUMPHUTON PETRAION

SUGGESTED: Coris monspeliensis, Symphytum petraeum — Montpellier Coris

see 3-174

Symphitum Petraeum grows on rocks. It has littlebranches similar to origanum, thin leaves, and little

heads like thyme. The whole plant is woody and has asweet smell, is sweet to the taste, and causes spittle. It hasa long, faint purple root almost the thickness of a finger.This (boiled with honey and water and taken as a drink)gets up vile stuff from the lungs. It is given with water tothose who spit up blood, and for inflammation in thekidneys. Boiled with wine it is taken (as a drink) fordysentery, and women's excessive bloody menstrualdischarges. It is boiled with vinegar and honey forconvulsions and hernias; and chewed it quenches thirst. Used as a poultice it is good for the roughness of a sorethroat, heals new wounds, and represses vaginal hernias. It also joins together broken flesh.

4-10. SUMPHUTON ALLO

SUGGESTED: Symphytum-magnum, Consolida maior [Fuchs],Symphytum consolida major [Bauhin],

Symphytum officinale [Linnaeus] — Comfrey, Knitbone

Symphyton alterum sends out a stalk two feet high ormore — light, thick, angular, empty, similar to that of

sonchus [2-159] — around which comes (from not greatdistances) rough narrow leaves, somewhat long, similarto those of bugloss [4-128, 4-23 to 4-27]. The stalk hassome extensions of slender leaves adhering to it,stretching along at the corners. From every wing areyellowish flowers standing up, and the seed is aroundthe stalk like verbascum [4-104]. The whole stalk andleaves have a somewhat prickly down that causes itchingif touched. The roots are underneath — to the outwardappearance black, but within white and slimy — of which

552



553

Polemonium caeruleum


554


Comfrey or Knitbone -Symphytum officinale


use is made. Pounded into small pieces (and taken in adrink) they are good for bloodspitters and hernias.Applied, they close up new wounds. Boiled, they joinpieces of flesh together. They are smeared on forinflammations — most usefully for those in the perineum — with the leaves of senecio [4-123]. It is also called pecton,while the Romans call it solidago.

4-11. OLESTION

SUGGESTED: Holosteum umbellatum — Holosteum, Chickweed, Jagged Chickweed, Umbellate Stitchwort

Holostium is a little herb about three or four fingersabove the ground. It has astringent leaves, and

tendrils like those of coronopus [2-158] or grass; a very thin root, similar to filaments, white to see, the thickness offour fingers. It grows on hills. Boiled, this can also joinpieces of flesh together, and it is given (as a drink withwine) for hernias.

4-12. STOIBE

SUGGESTED: Stobaea pinnata [Loudon] — Carthmus-like Stobaea

Stipa pennata, Stipa barbata — Feather Grass, Stipa Stipa tenacissima, Macrochloa tenacissima — Alfa, Esparto

Stoebe is well known. The seed and the leaves areastringent, so a decoction of them is given as a

suppository for dysentery, and it is dropped intopurulent ears. The leaves are applied to help bloodshoteyes caused by a stroke, and they stop excessive bloodydischarges. It is also called tobion, while the Romans call itstupa.

4-13. KLUMENON

UNKNOWN

Clymenon sends out a foursquare stalk similar to thatof the bean, and leaves similar to those of plantain. It

has little pods on the stalk (nodding together) similar toiris and the curled tufts of the polypus. That on the hills is


555

the best. It is all juiced together with the root. The juice(taken as a drink) is good for throwing-up blood, forabdominal cavities, and for excessive bloody discharges.It is astringent and cooling, and it stops flows of bloodthat come out of the nostrils. The leaves or the pods,pounded into small pieces and applied to new wounds,bring them effectively to a scar. It is also calledcalycanthemom, periclymenon, helyophthes, hepatitis, smilax,anatolicon, dyticon, or merginem; the Romans call itvolucrum, or volucrum maius; the Egyptians call it oxiui,clymenon, or clumenion, and they also call it agonon.

4-14. PERIKLUMENON

SUGGESTED: Periclymenus, Caprifolium [Fuchs], Periclymenum,Lonicera periclymenum [Linnaeus], Mater silvana,

Lonicera caprifolium — Common Honeysuckle, Woodbine,Perfoliate Honeysuckle, Caprifoly

Periclymenon is a single little shrub with small whitishleaves circling it at distances similar to cissus [2-210],

and by the leaves’ emergence are seeds similar to cissus.On top is a white flower similar to the bean, a somewhatround hard seed (in a way) lying on the leaf and hard topluck out; the root is thick and round. It grows in fieldsand hedges and winds itself around the neighbouringshrubs. The seed of this is gathered when it is ripe anddried in the shade. A teaspoonful (taken in a drink forforty days) reduces the spleen, dissolves weariness, andis good for difficult breathing and the hiccups. After thesixth day it makes one urinate blood. It is also birthhastening, and the leaves have the same strength. Adecoction (taken as a drink for thirty seven days) is said to make men unfit for generation [birth control]. Rubbed(with oil) on those who have fever fits that recur, it drivesaway the shivering. It is also called aegine, clymenon,carpathum, splenium, hepatitis, helxine major, clematitis,myrsine, or calycanthemon; the Magi call it poliom veneris,the Egyptians, turcum, the Romans, volucrum majus, andthe Africans, lanath.

556



557

Stipa tenacissima


558


Saxifragum, Empetrum

from FUCHS — 1545

4-15a. TRIBOLOS ENUDROS

SUGGESTED: Tribulus terrestris — Caltrops, Land Caltrops Trapa natans — Water Caltrops

Tribulus has two types: the land kind has similarleaves to portulaca [4-168] yet they are thin. The

vinelike branches are long, with stiff hard prickles onthem, and scattered on the ground. It grows near riversand in courtyards of houses. There is another kind foundin the water — which is also called bucephalus, ortauroceros, or by the Romans, tribulus aquaticus — growing in rivers, with the hair standing above but hiding theprickle. The leaves are broad with a long stem, but thestalk is thick at the top rather than in the bottom. On itthere are also certain hairy abnormal growths similar toears; the fruit is hard like that of the other. They are bothastringent and cooling, and are poultices for allinflammation. With honey they heal thrush [candidiasis], the tonsils, and rotten ulcers of the mouth and gums.They are juiced for eye medicines. The seed (taken in adrink when it is new) helps stones [urinary, kidney]. Ateaspoonful of the land kind (taken in a drink andapplied as well) recovers those bitten by vipers. It is goodagainst poisons (taken in a drink with wine) and adecoction of it (sprinkled) kills fleas. The Thracians livingby the river Strymon fatten horses with the green herb,but the seed, sweet and nourishing, they take for food,using it instead of bread.

4-15b. SAXIPHRAGON

SUGGESTED: Saxifraga, Ruta-muraria [Fuchs], Saxifragum,Empetrum [Brunfels], Ruta muraria [Bauhin],

Asplenium Ruta-muraria [Linnaeus] — Wall Rue

[other usage] Saxifraga cymbalaria — Saxifrage, Rockfoil

Saxifragum is a shrub (similar to epithymon)growing onrocks and in rough places. The herb (boiled with

wine) is helpful in cases of slow painful urination whenthere is no fever, but it is given with warm water whilethe fever lasts. It also cures stones in the bladder and


559

Tribulus terrestris


encourages the urine. It is also called saxifrangum,empetrum, scolopendrium, or bruchum, while the Romanscall it saxifraga, or sanaria.

4-16. LEIMONION

SUGGESTED: Limonium, Pyrola [Fuchs], Pyrola rotundifolia major [Bauhin],

Pyrola rotundifolia [Linnaeus] — Wintergreen

[other usage] Statice limonium, Limonium vulgare,Statice maritima — Sea Lavender, Wild Marsh Beet

Limonium has ten or more leaves similar to beet yetthinner and smaller, and a thin upright stalk equal

(as it were) to the lily, full of red seed, astringent to thetaste. An acetabulum [vinegar cruet] of the seed (poundedinto small pieces and taken in a drink with wine) is able to help dysentery and abdominal cavities, and stopwomen's excessive bloody menstrual discharges. It grows in fields. It is also called neuroides, potamogeton, lonchitis, or rapronium; the Mysians call it mendruta, the Syrians,meuda, also, lycosemphyllon, helleborosemata, or scyllion; theMagi call it cor lupi, the Romans, veratrum nigrum, some,tintinabulum terrae, the Gauls, iumbarum, and the Dacians,dacina.

4-17. LAGOPOUS

SUGGESTED: Lagopus, Leporinus pes, Trifolium humile [Fuchs],Trifolium arvense [Linnaeus] — Field Clover, Hare’s Foot

[other usage] Filago lagopus — Cotton Rose, Hare’s Foot

Lagopus is restrictive to the intestines if a decoction istaken as a drink with wine (but for those with a fever

with water). It is also hanged about one for inflammationof the groin. It grows in the ranks of corn. It is also calledcuminum leporis.

560


Statice thouini



561

Limonium

from FUCHS — 1545

562


Lycopsis

from FUCHS — 1545

4-18. MEDION

SUGGESTED: Campanula medium — Canterbury Bells, Mercury's Violet

Campanula cichoracea — Headed Bell Flower Medium alpinum, Campanula laciniata — Bell Flower, Harebell

Medium grows in shady rocky places. It has leavessimilar to seris [2-160], a great stalk of three feet,

round purple-coloured flowers, and small seed similar tocnicus [4-119, 4-190]. The root is twenty centimetres long,the thickness of a staff, bitter to the taste. Pounded intosmall pieces when it is dry and licked in with honey thathas been boiled for several days, it stops excessive bloodydischarges. A decoction of the seed (taken as a drink withwine) draws out the menstrual flow. It is also calledmedica, trifolium, clemation, osmos, trigonos, cybellium, orpolyphyllon; the Romans call it trifolium odoratum, and theEgyptians, epaphou.

4-19. EPIMEDION

SUGGESTED: Epimedium alpinum — Barrenwort, Bishop's Hat

Epimedium has a stalk that is not great, with about tenor twelve leaves similar to cissus, (but it bears neither

seed nor flowers); the roots are thin, black, strongly-scented and unsavoury to the taste. It grows in wateryplaces. The leaves (pounded into small pieces with oil)make a poultice for the breasts so that they do not swell.The root causes barrenness. Three teaspoonfuls of theleaves pounded into small pieces, and taken as a drink inwine for three days after the menstrual flow purgation,keeps women from conception [birth control]. It is alsocalled erineos, thrias, or polyrrhizon, while the Romans callit vindicta.

4-20. XIPHION

SUGGESTED: Gladiolus illyricus — Gladiole, Sword Lily Gladiolus communis, Gladiolus byzantinus — Sword Lily

Xiphion is called phasganon because the shape of theleaf is similar to that of iris, yet smaller, narrower,

563


pointed like a little sword, and fibrous. It sends forth astalk a foot long, on which are purple flowers distantfrom one another by steps, round seed, and two roots —one of them resting on the other — similar to littlescallions. That which lies underneath is slender but thatabove, fuller. It grows (especially) in fields. The root thatis on top (applied with wine and frankincense) is able todraw out prickles and splinters, and (with meal of lolium[2-116, 4-140] and honey water) to dissolve the pannus[opaque thickening of cornea with veins]. It is mixed with similar plasters, and used for a pessary it draws out themenstrual flow. They say that a decoction of the upperroot (taken as a drink with wine) encourages sexualintercourse [aphrodisiac]; but that the lowest make themwithout lust [anaphrodisiac], and that the upper root iseffective given to children that are broken [? foreskin orhymen] in a liquid medicine with water. It is also calledmachaeronion, anactorion, or arion; the Romans call itgladiolus, and some, genitalis.

4-21. SPARGANION

SUGGESTED: Sparganium simplex — Reed Grass, Bur Reed Sparganium erectum, Sparganium ramosum

— Branched Bur Reed

Sparganium has leaves similar to a little sword butnarrower and bending downward more, and on the

top of the stalk are little balls in which is the seed. Theroot and seed are given with wine to those bitten byvenomous creatures. It is also called xiphidion, or bolon.

4-22. XURIS

SUGGESTED: Xyris indica, Xyris congensis, Xyris capensis — Xyris

Xyris has leaves similar to iris but broader and sharp atthe top, with a stalk breaking out of the middle of the

leaves — thick enough, one-foot long — on which aretriangular pods. On them is a purple flower, and in themiddle it is a Phoenician colour [red]. The seed (in littlecases) is similar to beans — round, red and sharp. Thelong red root has many joints, and is good for wounds in

564


Sparganium ramosum(female inflorescence)



565

Campanula media


566


Gladiolus communis


the head and fractures; and mixed with one third partflour of brass [zinc oxide], a fifth part of the root ofcentaury and sufficient honey, it extracts prickles and allsorts of weapons without pain. Applied with vinegar itcures oedema and inflammation. The root (bruised withpassum [raisin wine]) is taken as a drink for convulsion,hernia, sciatica, slow painful urination, and intestinaldischarges. Thirty grains of a decoction of the seed (takenas a drink in wine) is most uretical. If a decoction is takenas a drink with vinegar, it also reduces the spleen. It isalso called iris agria, or cactos, the Romans call it gladiolus,some call it iris agrestis, while the Dacians call it aprus.

4-23. ANCHOUSA

SUGGESTED: Anchusa aggregata — Cluster-flowered Bugloss Anchusa azurea, Anchusa italica, Anchusa paniculata,Buglossum officinale — Italian Alkanet, Sea Bugloss

Alkanna tinctoria, Anchusa tinctoria, Lithospermum tinctorium — Alkanet, Dyer’s Bugloss or Spanish Bugloss

see 4-24, 4-119, 4-128

Anchusa has many prickly leaves (similar to the sharp-leaved lettuce) — rough, sharp and black — on

every side of the root joining to the earth. The root is thethickness of a finger, and the colour almost of blood. Inthe summer it becomes astringent, dyeing the hands. Itgrows in good grounds. The root has an astringentnature: good (boiled in wax and oil) for burns and oldulcers. Applied with polenta it cures erysipela[streptococcal skin infection], vitiligines [form of leprosy];and smeared on with vinegar it cures leprosy. Given as apessary it is an abortifacient. A decoction of it is given forjaundice and inflamed kidneys, and it is given to thesplenetic (if they have a fever) with honey and water. Adecoction of the leaves (taken as a drink with wine) stopsdischarges of the bowels. The ointment makers use theroot for thickening ointments. It is also called calyx,onoclea, catanchusa, lybica, archibellion, onophyllon,porphyris, mydusa, salyx, or nonea, while the Africans call itbuinesath.

567


Alkanet [Bugloss] -Anchusa italica


4-24. ANCHOUSA ETERA

SUGGESTED: see 4-23, 4-128

Anchusa altera differs from the above in having smaller leaves yet equally sharp. There are thin little

branches, with flowers of a purple colour drawingtowards a Phoenician [red]. The roots are red and verylong. Around harvest time they have something similarto blood in them. It grows in sandy places. The root andleaves are able to help those bitten by venomouscreatures — especially the viper-bitten — eaten, taken asa drink, or hanged about one. Chewed and spat out intothe mouth of a venomous beast, it will kill him. It is alsocalled alcibiadian, or onocheiles.

4-25. ANCHOUSA ETERA

SUGGESTED: see 4-128

There is also another similar to the above, but with asmaller seed of a Phoenician [red] colour. Chewed

and spat out into the mouth of a snake, it will kill him. Anacetabulum [vinegar cruet] of a decoction the root (takenas a drink with hyssop [3-30] and nasturtium [2-185])draws out broadworms.

4-26. LUKOPSIS

SUGGESTED: Lycopsis arvensis, Anchusa arvensis — Field Bugloss see 4-27

Lycopsis has leaves similar to lettuce — but longer,thicker, sharp and broader — lying down around the

head of the root. It sends out a long, straight, rough stalkwith many prickly shoots a foot long, and on them littleflowers, almost a purple. The root is red and astringent. Itgrows in level fields. The root (applied with oil) healswounds, and with polenta it heals erysipela [streptococcalskin infection]. Pounded into small pieces and rubbed onwith oil it reduces sweating. This is also called anchusa.

568



569

Echium


570


Erinus alpinus


4-27. ECHION

SUGGESTED: Echion, Buglossum sylvestre, Echium germanicum spinosum [Fuchs],

Buglossum sylvestre minus [Bauhin], Lycopsis arvensis[Linnaeus] — Anchusa, Bugloss

[other usage] Echium plantagineum — Purple Viper's Bugloss

Echion has long, sharp, somewhat thin leaves similar to those of anchusa [4-23 to 4-26], but smaller and fat,

with thin little prickles lying on them, similar to thosewhich make leaves rough. There are many thin littlestalks, and on either side thin little black leaves spreadabroad (similar to wings), smaller as they grow nearer tothe top of the stalk. The flowers by the leaves are a purplecolour, in which is the seed, similar to the head of a viper.The root is thinner than a finger, somewhat black, adecoction of which (taken as a drink with wine) not onlyhelps those already bitten by snakes, but also makesthose who drink it beforehand unbitten. Both the leavesand the seed are of similar use. Taken with wine or someother sipping it lessens the pain of the loins [digestive orprocreative]. It is also called aridan, or alcibiadion, whilethe Romans call it alcibiacum [halicacabum — a bad poison].

4-28. OKIMOEIDES

SUGGESTED: Ocimastrum, Acinos, Ocimum sylvestre [Fuchs],Clinopodium arvense Ocimi facie [Bauhin], Thymos acinos

[Linnaeus], Satureja acinos [in Sprague], Ocimum pilosum,Acinos vulgaris — Acinos

see 3-50, 3-109, 4-28, 4-176

Ocimoides has leaves similar to basil, and roughbranches twenty centimetres long, with pods

similar to hyoscyamus [4-69] full of black seed similar tomelanthium [3-93]. A decoction of the seed (taken as adrink in wine) is able to cure the viper-bitten and the bites of other snakes. It is also given with myrrh [1-77, 1-73,4-116] and pepper for sciatica. The root that liesunderneath is thin and useless. It is also calledphiletaerium, echion, scorpiuron, sparganon, althaea,


571

amaranthis, probataea, elaphion, antimimon, porphyris,augion, nemesion, hyaenopsolon, thersites, thermutis, ormisopathos, while the Romans call it ocimastrum.

4-29. ERINOS

SUGGESTED: Erinus hispanicus, Erinus alpinus [Bedevian] — Erinus, Liver Balsam

Erinus grows by rivers and fountains and has leavessimilar to those of basil yet smaller and jagged at the

upper parts; with five or six little branches twentycentimeters long, white flowers, and a little black seedwith an unpleasant taste. The stalk is full of liquid and soare the leaves. Two teaspoonfuls of the seed (mixed withfour of honey and smeared on) stop discharges of theeyes; and the juice soothes earache (dropped in the earswith sulphur that never felt the fire and saltpetre[potassium nitrate]). It is also called ocimoides, or hydrero,while the Romans call it basil.

4-30. AGROSTIS

SUGGESTED: Gramen [Fuchs], Stellaria holostea [Linnaeus], Caryophyllus arvensis glaber flore majore [Bauhin],

— Greater Stitchwort [Mabberley]

[other usage] Agrostis alba, Agrostis palustris — White Bent Grass, Fiorin Grass

Agrostis has little branches full of joints creeping onthe earth and growing out from the stalks; sweet,

knotty roots, the sharp leaves hard and broad like a littlereed, nourishing for cows and labouring cattle. The rootof this (pounded into small pieces) is applied to healwounds. A decoction of it (taken as a drink) is good forgriping, painful urination, and ulcers around thebladder, and it breaks urinary stones. It is also calledaegicon, or amaxitist; the Egyptians say anuphi, theRomans, gramen, some say assefolium, sanguinalis, oruniola, the Spaniards, aparia, the Dacians, cotiata, and theAfricans, jebal.

572


Agrostis interrupta



573

Graminus genus


574


Stachys


4-31. KALAMAGROSTIS

SUGGESTED: Calamagrostis arenaria — Sea Sand Reed Phragmites australis, Phragmites communis — Common Reed

Reed grass is bigger in every respect than gramen, buteaten, it is a killer of labouring beasts (especially that

which grows in Babylon by the wayside).

4-32. AGROSTIS EN PARNASSO

SUGGESTED: Parnassia palustris — Grass of Parnassus

The grass that grows on Parnassus is more full ofstems. It bears leaves similar to cissus [2-210], a white

flower, and has a sweet scent, a small seed, and five or sixeffective roots of a finger's thickness — white, soft,strong. The juice of this (boiled with wine, as muchhoney, an half part of myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116], pepper,and a third part of frankincense) is an excellent medicinefor the eyes. It is stored in a brass box. A decoction of theroots is good for the same disorders. The seed is stronglydiuretic, and stops vomits and flowing bowels. Thatwhich grows in Cilicia (which the inhabitants call cinna)inflames rude beasts if often fed on when it is moist.

4-33. SIDERITIS

SUGGESTED: Sideritis-prima [Fuchs],Sideritis vulgaris hirsuta erecta [Bauhin],

Betonica annua var hirsuta, Stachys recta [Linnaeus], Stachys procumbens, Stachys sideritis — Mountain Woundwort

Sideritis is a herb with leaves similar to marrubium [3-38] but longer, similar to those of sage or oak, yet smaller

and sharp. It sends out foursquare stalks twentycentimetres long or rather more — not unpleasant to thetaste, and somewhat gently astringent — on which areround whorls at distances apart (similar to marrubium),and in them is black seed. It grows in places under rocks.The leaves (applied) are able to close open cuts and sorewounds, and reduce inflammation. It is also calledHeraclea, the Magi call it genitura, some say the blood ofTitan, or the tail of a scorpion; Pythagoras says parmiron,

575


Acreas, xanthophanes; Osthenes says buphthalmum, theEgyptians, sendionor, the Romans, vertumnus, some,solaster, and the Africans, asterchillos.

4-34. SIDERITIS ETERA

SUGGESTED: Stachys arvensis [Mabberley] — Stagger-weed

The other sideritis has slender branches of two feet,and leaves on long stems (similar to those of fern)

with many in-cuts towards the top on either side, andfrom the upper wings long thin shoots with a rough head on the top, round like a sphere, in which is the seed —similar to beet but rounder and harder. This (with theleaves) is good for wounds.

4-35. SIDERITIS TRITE

SUGGESTED: Stachys sylvatica — Hedge Woundwort

There is said to be yet another sideritis (which Crateuas calls heraclea) growing in walls and vineyards, with

many leaves from one root, similar to coriander, smoothtender little stalks about twenty centimetres long,somewhat white and ruddy; the little flowers of aPhoenician [red] colour, bitter to the taste, clammy — and the strength of this (applied) is that it congeals bleedingand new wounds.

4-36. ACHILLEIOS

SUGGESTED: Achillea ageratum — Milfoil, Sweet Maudlin Achillea atrata — Black Milfoil

Achillea fragrantissima, Santolina fragrantissima — Lavender Cotton

Achillea is also called achillea sideritis. It bears smallrods a hand’s width long (or rather more) in the

shape of spindles, and about them thin little leaveshaving frequent in-cuts across like coriander —somewhat red, clammy, smelling considerably, notunpleasant but having a medicinal smell. There is around tuft on the top; the flowers white, resembling gold. It grows in fertile places. The fibres of this (pounded)

576



577

Rubus


578


Helxine cissampelos


congeals bloody wounds, reduces inflammation, andstops bleeding, as also of that of the womb (in a pessary);and a decoction of this is a douche for the excessivemenstrual flows of women. It is also drunk for dysentery.Some call it myriomorphon, chiliophyllon, stratioticon, orHeracleon, the Romans, supercilium veneris; some call itacorus sylvaticus, militaris, or millefolium, and the Africanscall it asterchillos.

4-37. BATOS

SUGGESTED: Rubus [Fuchs], Rubus vulgaris, Rubus fructu nigro [Bauhin], Rubus fructiosus [Linnaeus],

Rubus plicatus — Blackberry, Common Bramble

Batus (with which we are familiar) binds and dries,and it dyes the hair. A decoction of the tops of it (as a

drink) stops the flows of the intestines, restrains theexcessive menstrual flows of women, and is convenientfor the bites of the prester [mythological snake]. Theleaves are chewed to strengthen the gums and heal apthae [aptylia — absence of saliva]. The leaves (applied)restrain herpes [viral skin infection], heal running ulcerson the head, drooping eyes, venereal warts, andhaemorrhoids. Pounded into small pieces and applied,they are available for gastritis and heart conditions. Thejuice from the bruised stalks and leaves stirred in the sundoes better for all the purposes previously mentioned.The juice of the thoroughly ripe fruit is good put into oralmedicines. Eaten when it is half-ripe, it also stopsdischarges of the intestines. The flowers of it (as a drinkwith wine) also stop the bowels. It is also called cynosbatos, selinorition, or asyntrophon. The Magi say sanguis Titani,some, sanguis ibis, the Romans, sentis, some, rubus, or mora vaticana, the Dacians, mantia, the Egyptians, haemceos, and some, ametros.

4-38. BATOS IDAIA

SUGGESTED: Rubus idaeus — Red Raspberry

It is called rubus idaeus because it grows abundantly inIda — but it is much more tender than that above, with

little prickles, and it is also found without prickles. It does

579


Rubus idaeus


the same things as that mentioned above, andfurthermore the flower (pounded into small pieces withhoney and rubbed on) helps eye inflammation, andextinguishes erysipela [streptococcal skin infection]. It isgiven in a drink with water for gastritis.

4-39. ELXINE KUSSAMPELOS

SUGGESTED: Helxine-cissampelos, Convolvulus, Volubilis media [Fuchs], Convolvulus minor arvensis [Bauhin],

Convolvulus arvensis [Linnaeus] — Common Bindweed

Helxine has leaves similar to cissus but smaller, withlong little branches clasping around wherever it

occurs. It grows in hedges, vineyards and corn. The juiceof the leaves (taken as a drink) has a laxative effect on thebowels. It is also called elitis, canochersaea, amelxine, eusine,amorgine, sucotachos, psychuacos, melampelon, cissampelon,cissamethon, or analetamenon, the Romans call it volutumlaparou, and the Egyptians, hapap.

4-40. ELATINE

SUGGESTED: Antirrhinum elatine, Linaria elatine, Cymbalaria elatine — Elatine, Cancerwort,

Pointed-leaved Toadflax Elatine hydropiper — Water Pepper, Waterwort, Pipewort

Elatine has leaves similar to helxine [above] but smaller,rounder, and hairy. The five or six branches are thin,

twenty centimetres long from the root, full of leaves thatare sharp to the taste. It grows among corn and in tilledplaces. The leaves (applied with polenta) are able to helpinflamed rheumatic eyes. Boiled and sipped it stopsdysentery.

580


Elatine paludosa



581

Parnassia palustris


582


Quinquefolium


4-41. EUPATORION

SUGGESTED: Eupatorium, Agrimonia [Fuchs], Eupatorium veterum [Bauhin], Agrimonia eupatoria [Linnaeus]

— Agrimony, Cocklebur, Liverwort, Sticklewort [other usage] Eupatorium syriacum — Syrian Eupatorium

Eupatorium cannabinum — Hemp Agrimony

Eupatorium is an herb like a shrub placing out one stem — thin, woody, straight, black and rough — half a

metre long or rather more, and the leaves jagged (atdistances) most commonly into five parts (or rather more, similar to those of quinquefolium or even cannabis), andthose inclining to black, cut-in on the edges like a saw.The seed grows all around from the middle of the stalk,somewhat rough, bending downward so that dried itsticks to clothes. The leaves of this (pounded fine andapplied with old swines’ grease) heal difficult scars onulcers. The seed and herb (taken as a drink with wine)help dysentery and serpent bites. Some were deceivedand called this artemisia, for it is diverse (as we haveshown). It is also called hepatorium, or hepatitis, while theRomans call it volucrum maius.

4-42. PENTAPHULLON

SUGGESTED: Quinquefolium maius candidum [Fuchs],Quinquefolium album majus alterum [Bauhin], Potentilla alba

[Linnaeus] — Tormentil [Mabberley]

[other usage] Pentafillo [Italian], Potentilla pimpinelloides,Potentilla opaca, Potentilla hirta — Five Fingers Grass,

Five Leaf, Cinquefoil

Pentaphyllum has thin branches like festuca [fescuegrass] twenty centimetres long, on which is the seed.

It has leaves similar to mint, five on every stem but rarelyanywhere more, cut-in all around like a saw. The floweris pale, white, or yellowish like gold. It grows in moistplaces and by rivers; and it has a somewhat long reddishroot (thicker than black hellebore) that is of considerableuse. A decoction of the root reduced one third bysimmering (held in the mouth) is able to relievetoothache. Used as a mouthwash it stops rotten ulcers inthe mouth; gargled, it relieves roughness of the throat;


583

Potentilla congesta


Agrimonia eupatoria


and taken as a drink it helps flowing bowels, dysentery,arthritis, and sciatica. Pounded finely, boiled in vinegarand applied, it restrains herpes [viral skin disease], anddissolves swellings, goitres, hardened places, oedema,aneurisms, suppurations, erysipela [skin inflammation],and conjunctivitis, and it heals skin lesions and psoriasis.The juice from the tender root is good for disorders in theliver and the lungs, and for deadly poisons. The leavesare taken in a drink with honey water or diluted wineand a little pepper for recurrent fevers; the leaves of fourlittle branches for a paroxysm every fourth day, three fora paroxysm every third day, and one for a paroxysmevery day. They help epilepsy (taken as a drink for thirtydays), and three glasses of the juice of the leaves (taken asa drink for some days) soon cures jaundice. Applied withsalt and honey they heal wounds and fistulas. Taken as adrink (or else applied) it helps those who are broken[foreskin or hymen], and stops flows of blood. It is cut forwashing, discharges of blood, and purification.

(If anyone carries pentadactylon [cinquefoil] around hisbody he remains without suffering. It helps the eyes,tumours [possibly goitre], hardened tonsils, the uvula,sores under the tongue, the joints, disorders of thenerves, the teeth, and scabies [itchy parasitical disease]caused by a pernicious famine, as well as drawing downthe afterbirth. A decoction (poured on the hands) isexcellent against fears and enchantments, thereforegather the herb when the moon increases at the time ofthe sun arising.) It is also called pentapetes, pentatomon,pentadactylon, pseudoselinon, callipetalon, xyloloton,xylopetalon, asphalton, pentacoenon, or thymiatitis; theEgyptians call it orphitebeoce, some, enotron, the Magi,unguis ibis, some, ala ibis, or hermodactylon, the Romans,quinquefolium, the Gauls pempedula, and the Dacians,propedula.

4-43. PHOINIX

SUGGESTED: Hordeum murinum — Wall Barley

Phoenix has leaves similar to barley only shorter andnarrower, with an ear [of seed] similar to lolium

[2-116, 4-140]; branches around the root six fingers inlength, and the ears seven or eight. It grows in fields and

584



585

Equisetum


586


Equisetum arvense


on newly-mortared roofs. A decoction (taken as a drink in hard wine) it is able to stop discharges of the intestines,the excessive discharges of blood from the womb, andexcessive urine. Some say that it is a blood-stauncher,bound in red wool and hanged about one. It is also calledrhus, anchinops, phoenicopteron, rhus stachyos, or ostheles.The Romans say palolucupinum, the Egyptians, athnon.

4-44. IDAIA RHIZA

UNKNOWN — this means root from Ida

Idaea radix has similar leaves to oxymyrsine near whichthere grows out (as it were) little tendrils and flowers.

The root of this is especially astringent serving as such forthose for whom there is need. It is taken in a drink fordischarges of the intestines and women's excessivemenstrual discharges. It stops all discharges of blood.

4-45. RHODIA RADIX

SUGGESTED: Rhodia-radix [Fuchs], Radix rhodia [Bauhin], Rhodiola rosea [Linnaeus], Sedum rhodiola [in Sprague], Sedum roseum — Roseroot, Rosy-flowered Stonecrop

Rhodia radix grows in Macedonia, similar to costus[1-15] but lighter and uneven, making a scent when

bruised similar to that of roses. It is useful for thoseaggrieved with headaches, bruised and applied with alittle rosaceum [1-53] and applied moist to the foreheadand temples. It is also called rhodida.

4-46. IPPOURIS

SUGGESTED: Equisetum minus, Equisetum brevius [Fuchs], Hippuris, Equisetum arvense [Linnaeus], Cauda equina

— False Horsetail, Horsepipe, Bottlebrush, Meadow Horsetail

[other usage] Hippuris vulgaris — Mare’s Tail, Bottlebrush,Witches’ Milk

Hippuris grows in moist places and ditches. It hasempty little reddish stalks distinguished by joints

growing one into another, and around them many thin

587


rushy leaves. It grows to a height climbing on the trunksof trees standing nearby, and hangs on them. It issurrounded with many black filaments similar to the tailof a horse. The root is woody and hard, and the herb isastringent. The juice of it stops discharges of blood fromthe nostrils. A decoction (taken as a drink with wine)helps dysentery and induces urine. Pounded into smallpieces (and sprinkled on) it closes bleeding wounds. Both the root and herb help coughs and asthma. It is said alsothat a decoction of the leaves (taken as a drink in water)joins openings of the intestines, and any cutting-apart ofthe bladder, and hernia. It is also called trimachion,anabasis, cheredranon, phaedra, itiandendron, gis, orschoniostrophon, while the Egyptians say pherphram, theMagi, cibus Saturni, the Romans, equinalis, and some, salixequinalis, anabasion, or ephudron.

4-47. IPPOURIS ETERA

SUGGESTED: Equisetum longius, Hippuris, Polygonum foemina[Fuchs], Equisetum palustre [Linnaeus] — Meadow Horsetail

[other usage] Equisetum hyemale, Equisetum scirpoides— Common Scouring Bush

Hippuris alterum has a stalk that is straight, evenhigher than a foot (as it were) empty, with shorter,

whiter, softer filaments at distances. Mixed with vinegarit heals wounds, having the same strength as that above.It is also called equitium, chedra, or gyon, while the Romans say salix equinalis.

4-48. KOKKOS BAPHIKE

SUGGESTED: Cocculus officinale, Cocculus plukenetii [Loudon] — Cocculus — twining shrub

Anamirta cocculus, Anamirta paniculata — Cocculus Indicus Plant

Quercus coccifera — Kermes Oak — little coccus insect is found on it

Coccus means berries as well as being the name of the dyer’s insect.

Coccum tinctile is a little shrub full of sprigs, to whichcling grains like lentils which are taken out and

stored. The best is from Galatia and Armenia, then thatfrom Asia and that from Cilicia, and last of all that from

588


Equisetum sylvaticum



589

Agrimonia eupatoria


590


Anamirta cocculus


Spain. Pounded into small pieces and applied withvinegar it is astringent, and good for wounds and loststrength. That in Cilicia grows on oaks [with grains]similar in shape to a little snail, which the women theregather by mouth, and call them coccum.

4-49. TRAGION

SUGGESTED: Chenopodium vulvaria, Tragium germanicum — Stinking Motherwort

Tragium grows only in Crete. It has leaves, stems andseed similar to lentiscus [1-90] but all smaller. It has a

liquid similar to gum. The leaves, seed and fluid (appliedwith wine) draw out arrowheads, splinters, and all things fastened within. A decoction (taken as a drink) cures slow painful urination, breaks stones in the bladder, andinduces the menstrual flow. A teaspoonful is taken. Theysay that wild goats that have been shot feed on this herband put out the arrows.

4-50. TRAGION ALLO

SUGGESTED: Herba à cent goûts [French], Artemisia vulgaris— Motherwort, Mugwort

Tragium alterum has leaves similar to scolopendrium[3-121], and a thin white root similar to wild raphanus,

which is eaten (raw or boiled) to help dysentery. In theautumn the leaves put out the scent of a goat. As a result it is called tragium. It grows in steep hilly places. It is alsocalled tragos, tragoceros, scorpion, or garganon, while theRomans say cornulaca, some, bituensa, the Dacians, salia,the Egyptians, sober, and the Africans, achiosm.

4-51. TRAGOS

SUGGESTED: Tragus berteronianus — Carrot Seed Grass

see 2-115

Tragus grows particularly near the sea. It is a littleshrub, on the ground, somewhat long, not large,

about twenty centimetres tall or more. It has no leaves,


591

but on the branches there hang (as it were) many little red kernels about the size of wheat, sharp on the top,especially astringent to the taste. Ten kernels of the seedof this (taken as a drink with wine) help the abdomen and women having their discharges [menstrual flow]. Somealso beat it and make it into tablets for storage to use later.It is also called scorpion, or traganos.

4-52. SCHOINOS

SUGGESTED: Schoenus incanus — Bog Rush Schoenus ferrugineous — Rusty Bog Rush

Shoenus mucronatus — Clustered Bog Rush Juncus conglomeratus, Juncus effusus — Rushes, Sweet Rushes

Juncus arabicus — Rush, Sea Rush Juncus acutus — Sharp Rush, Dutch Rush

see 1-16

Two types of shoenus are found, the one of which iscalled the smooth juncus, the other the sharp juncus,

pointed on the top, and of this again there are two types for one is barren, and the other has a round, black seed —but the reeds of this are thicker and more fleshy. There isa third type — much more fleshy and rougher than thefirst two — which is called holoschoenos, and this also hasseed on the top similar to that before it. The seed of any ofthem (dried and taken in a drink with diluted wine) stops discharges of the intestines, and excessive bloodydischarges, and induces urine. It is also good forheadaches, and the tender leaves near the root (applied)are good for harvest spider bites. The Ethiopian juncushas seed that will cause sleep. We must beware of toomuch of it in liquid medicines for it encourages sleepexcessively. It is also called juncus laevis, oxypternos, orsupercilium solis, while the Romans say juncus marinus,some, juncus manualis, and the Africans, chudua.

592



593

Sedum acre


594


Chrysanthemum simplex


4-53. LEICHEN

SUGGESTED: Lichen, Hepatica [Fuchs], Lichen petraeus latifolius,Hepatica fontana [Bauhin], Marchantia polymorpha [Linnaeus]

[other usage] Lecanora esculenta — Manna Lichen Alectoria jubata — Rock Hair Moss, Horse-hair Lichen

Parmelia saxatilis — Lichen

Lichen grows on rocks and is also called bryon. It is amoss sticking to moist rocks. This is applied to stop

discharges of blood, lessen inflammation, and heal lichen[papular skin disease], and applied with honey it helpsjaundice. It also helps the fluids of the mouth and tongue[saliva].

4-54. PARONUCHIA

SUGGESTED: Paronychia serpyllifolia — Thyme-leaved Nailwort

Paronychia grows among rocks. It is a small shrubsimilar to peplus — less in length but larger in the

leaves. It is applied (bruised) to all, to heal whitlows andfavus [contagious honeycombed skin disease]. It is alsocalled adocetos, neuras, or phrynion, while the Romans callit unguinalis.

4-55. CHRUSOKOME

SUGGESTED: Chrysocoma [Bedevian] — Goldylocks ALSO: Chrysocoma linosyris, Chrysocoma villosa

Chrysocome is a small shrub twenty centimetres longwith filaments like corymbi [flattened inflorescences]

resembling hyssop [3-30]; a slender thick root like blackhellebore — not unpleasant to the taste, equal to cyprus[1-124], somewhat sour in its sweetness. It grows inshady, rocky places. The root is warming and binding —of suitable use for the liver and pneumonia. It is taken(boiled with honey water) for cleansing the womb. It isalso called chysitis, chrysanthemon, amarantum, or thebeard of Jupiter, while the Romans say Iovis barba, theAfricans, dubath, and some, burchumath.

595


Paronychia serpyllifola


4-56. CHRUSOGONON

SUGGESTED: Bongardia chrysogonum — Golden Rod

Chrysogonum has leaves similar to the oak, but theshrub is thick, and has flowers similar to verbascum

coronarium [4-104]; a root similar to rape [coleseed],strongly red within but with the exterior black. Poundedfinely with vinegar and applied, it helps the bites of theshrewmouse.

4-57. ELICHRUSON

SUGGESTED: Amarantus luteus, Stichas citrina, Helichryson [Fuchs], Gnaphalium arenarium [Linnaeus],

Helichrysum arenarium [in Sprague], Helichrysum chinophylum,Helichrysum arenarium — Helichrysum, Cudweed,

Eternal Flower, Golden Sunflower

Helichrysum (with which they crown their statues)has a little stem — white, green, straight and strong

— and narrow leaves (similar to those of abrotanum) setapart at distances, the filaments circular, shining likegold; a round tuft, (as it were) dry bunches of berries, anda thin root. It grows in rough places near running water.A decoction of the filaments (taken as a drink with wine)helps painful urination, the bites of snakes, sciatica, andhernia. A decoction (taken as a drink with must [pulpfrom grapes]) induces the menstrual flow, and dissolvesclots of blood in the bladder or bowels. Thirty grains in adilution of white wine (given to one fasting) stopsdripping fluids. It is stored together with clothes,protecting them from moths. It is also calledchrysanthemon, while some call it amarantum.

596



597

Papaver erraticum alterum


598


Papaver erraticum primum


4-58. CHRUSANTHEMON

SUGGESTED: Chrysanthemum, Chrysanthemum simplex [Fuchs],Ranunculus pratensis erectus dulcis [Bauhin], Ranunculus repens

[Linnaeus] — Creeping Buttercup [Mabberley][other usage] Chrysanthemum segetum — Corn Marigold,

Corn Chrysanthemum Chrysanthemum coronarium — Garden Chrysanthemum,

Crown Marigold, Crown Daisy

Chrysanthemon is a tender shrubby herb, bringing outsmooth stalks, very jagged leaves all around, and

yellowish flowers strongly shining with an eye (which iswhy it is called this). It grows in towns, and the stalks areeaten as vegetables. The flowers (pounded into smallpieces with wax ointment) are said to dissolve steatomata[encysted fatty tumour]. It gives the jaundiced a goodcolour in good time given to drink after they have spent along time in the baths. (Chrysanthemon you take out of theearth before the rising of the sun. They are astringent tothe body, and are hung around the neck, being good foraverting women witches and all enchantments.) It is alsocalled bupthalmum, calchas, chalcitis, chalcanthum, orchalcanthemon, the Romans say acantha, the Thuscans,garuleum, and the Africans, churzeta.

4-59. AGERATON

SUGGESTED: Achillea ageratum — Sweet Maudlin, Milfoil Ageratum conyzoides — Floss Flowers, Goat Weed,

Bastard Agrimony, Celestine

Ageratum is a low shrub twenty centimetres long, fullof single sprigs, similar (especially) to origanum;

with a tuft on which is a flower (like a protuberance) of agolden colour, smaller than helichrysum. It is calledageratum because the flower remains for a long time,keeping its colour. A decoction of it is burning [to take oruse]. Smoke from the herb itself is inhaled to induce themovement of urine, and to soften hardness around thewomb.


599

4-60. PERISTEREON ORTHOS

SUGGESTED: Peristereon, Vervain [Pliny], Verbenaca recta,Verbena recta [Fuchs], Sinapis alterum genus sylvestre,

Erysimum vulgare [Bauhin], Erysimum officinale [Linnaeus],Sisymbrium officinale [in Sprague] — Hedge Mustard [Mabberley]

[other usage] Verbena triphylla, Aloysia citriodora, Lippia citrata,Lippia citriodora — Lemon Verbena, Herb Louisa

Peristereon orthos grows in watery places. It seems to benamed this because doves gladly stop around it. It is

a n herb with a height of twenty centimetres (or rathermore) the whitish leaves cut-in, growing out of the stalk.It is found for the most part with only one shoot and oneroot. It seems that the leaves (applied as a pessary withrosaceum [1-53] or new swines’ grease) cause womb painsto stop. Applied with vinegar it represses erysipela[streptococcal skin infection] and rotten ulcers, and joinsnew wounds, and with honey it heals old ones with anew skin. The upright peristereon extends the pudendum[genitals], but that which bends is drying. The upright(tied to one) is good for pains of the eyes, dimness ofsight, and headache, and it eases weariness. Bruised withvinegar it immediately dissolves scrofulous tumours[glandular swelling], goitres, and hardened tonsils.When anyone shivers with a fever let someone withbranches from this stand before him and immediately heis cured. It is also called trygonium, bunion, sacra herba, orphiltrodotes; the Egyptians say pempsempte, the Magi,Iunonis lachryma, some say the blood of the weasel, theRomans, crista gallinacea, and some, ferrea, trixalis, exupera, or herba sanguinalis.

4-61. PERISTEREON UPTIOS,IEROBOTANE

SUGGESTED: Peristereon, Verbenaca, Vervain [Pliny], Verbena supina, Verbenaca supina [Fuchs],

Verbena communis caerulo flore [Bauhin], Verbena officinalis[Linnaeus] — Vervain, Pigeon’s Grass, Holy Herb

Hierabotane sends out angular stems of a foot (orrather more) around which are the leaves at

distances — similar to the oak, yet narrower, smaller and 600



601

Papaver sativum


602


Papaver somniferum


cut-in all around, drawing to an azure [blue]. The root issomewhat long and thin; the flowers purple and thin.The leaves and root (given to drink with wine or smearedon) are useful against snakes. A teaspoonful of adecoction of the leaves with thirty grains of frankincensein one half-pint of old wine is taken as a drink forjaundice by one fasting for forty days. The leaves(applied) lessen inflammation and long-lasting oedema,and clean foul ulcers. The whole herb (boiled with wine)breaks crusts all around in the tonsils. Gargled, it stopserosive ulcers in the mouth. An infusion of it sprinkled infeasts is said to make the guests merrier [relaxant]. Thethird joint from the earth (with all the leaves) is given todrink to those who have a paroxysm every third day. Thefourth joint is given to those who have a paroxysm everyfourth day. They call it sacra herba because it suitable foruse as amulets in purification. It is also called peristereon[huption], erigenion, chamaelycon, sideritis, curitis,phersephonion, Iovis colum, dichromon, callesis, hipparison, ordemetrias; the Egyptians say pemphthephtha; Pythagorascalls it erysisceptron, and the Romans, cincinnalis.

4-62. ASTRAGALOS

SUGGESTED: Astragalus gummifera — Astragal, Milk Vetch Astragalus glycyphyllos — Milk Vetch, Liquorice Vetch

see 1-113

Astragalus is a small little shrub on the ground, similarto chickpea in the leaves and sprigs. The little leaves

are purple, and the root lies underneath — round, of agood amount, similar to the radish, with strong, black,hard growths folded one within another like horns —pleasantly astringent to the taste. It grows in windy,shady and snowy places, and in great abundance inMemphis, Arcadia. A decoction of the root (taken as adrink in wine) stops flowing bowels and induces urine. Itis good (similarly) dried into powder and sprinkled onold ulcers, and it staunches blood. It is pounded withdifficulty because of the solidity of it. It is also calledchamaesyce, onyx, or gatales, the Romans say pinus trivius,as well as ficus terrae, and some call it glacula, scene talum,or nonaria.


603

4-63. UAKINTHOS

SUGGESTED: Hyacinthus caeruleus maximus [Fuchs], Hyacinthus comosus major purpureus [Bauhin],

Hyacinthus comosus [Linnaeus], Muscari comosum [in Sprague]— Tassel Hyacinth

Hyacinthus caeruleus maior [Fuchs], Hyacinthus racemosus caeruleus monor latifolius [Bauhin],

Hyacinthus botyroides [Linnaeus], Muscari botyroides — Grape Hyacinth

ALSO: Scilla bifolia [Linnaeus] — Squill

Hyacinthus has leaves similar to a bulbus [2-200]; asmooth green stalk twenty centimetres long,

thinner than a little finger; a curled calyx lying on it full offlowers of a purple colour, and the root similar to bulbus.Smeared with white wine on boys this is thought to keepthem hairless; it also is therapeutic for the bowels. Adecoction (taken as a drink) induces urine, and helpsthose bitten by harvest spiders. The seed is moreastringent and is put in treacles. A decoction (taken as adrink with wine) cleanses jaundice. It is also calledhelonias, or porphyranthes; the Romans call it vaccinium,and some, ulcinum.

4-64. MEKON ROIAS

SUGGESTED: Papaver-erraticum primum [Fuchs], Papaver rhoeas[Linnaeus] — Field Poppy, Corn Rose, Corn Poppy

Papaver erraticum is called this because it quickly castsaway its flower; it grows in fields in the spring, at

which time it is also gathered. The leaves are similar tooriganum, eruca [2-170], chicory, or thyme — jagged butlonger and rough. It has a downy stalk — straight, rough,a foot in height. The flower is purple and sometimeswhite, similar to that of the wild anemone; the head issomewhat long, yet somewhat smaller than that ofanemone; the seed is red. The root is somewhat long,whitish, the thickness of a little finger, and bitter. Havingboiled five or six little heads of this (with three cups ofwine to reduce it to two), give it to drink to those whomyou would make sleep. A decoction of much as anacetabulum [vinegar cruet] of the seed (taken as a drink

604


Papaver rhoeas



605

Hyacinthus


606


Hyoscyamus niger


with honey and water) softens the bowels gently. It isalso mixed with honeyed confections and cakes for thesame purpose. The leaves (applied together with theheads) heal inflammation. A decoction of them appliedwith hot cloths (or sprinkled on) is sleep inducing. It isalso called oxytonum; the Romans call it papaveralis, andthe Egyptians, nanti.

4-65. MEKON AGRIOS, MEKONEMEROS

SUGGESTED: Papaver sativum [Fuchs], Papaver hortensis semine albo [Bauhin],

Papaver somniferum var album [Linnaeus] — White Opium Poppy

Papaver somniferum var niger [Loudon] — Black Poppy

NARCOTIC. Cultivation of poppies with the intention of producing opium is illegal.

There is a poppy that is cultivated and set in gardens,the seed of which is made into bread for use in the

time of health. They use it with honey instead of sesame,and it is called thylacitis — having a somewhat long littlehead and white seed. The other (which is wild and alsocalled pithitishas) has a head bending down, and somecall it rhoeas [4-64] because a liquid flows out of it. There isa third — more wild, more medicinal and longer thanthese, with a head somewhat long — and they are allcooling. The leaves and heads (boiled in water andapplied with hot cloths) cause sleep. A decoction is takenas a drink against lack of sleep. The heads (pounded intosmall pieces and mixed into poultices with polenta) aregood for inflammation and erysipela [streptococcal skininfection]. It is necessary for those who beat them whenthey are green to make them into tablets, dry them forstorage, and then use them. The heads are boiled alone inwater until half, and then boiled again with honey untilthe dullness is thickened, make a licking medicinesoothing for coughs, dripping fluids in the throat, andabdominal afflictions. It becomes more effective if juice of hypocistis [1-127] and acacia are mixed with it.

The seed of the black poppy (pounded into smallpieces) is given to drink with wine for excessivedischarges of the bowels, and women's excessivedischarges. It is applied with water on the forehead and


607

temples for those who cannot sleep, but the liquid itself(taken) is more cooling, thickening, and drying. A little ofit (taken with as much as a grain of ervum [2-129, 2-131]) isa pain-easer, a sleep-causer, and a digester, helpingcoughs and abdominal cavity afflictions. Taken as a drink too often it hurts (making men lethargic) and it kills. It ishelpful for aches, sprinkled on with rosaceum [1-53]; andfor pain in the ears dropped in them with oil of almonds,saffron, and myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116]. For inflammationof the eyes it is used with a roasted egg yolk and saffron,and for erysipela [streptococcal skin infection] andwounds with vinegar; but for gout with women’s milkand saffron. Put up with the finger as a suppository itcauses sleep. That liquid is best which is thick, heavy, andsleepy in smell, bitter to the taste, easily pierced withwater, smooth, white, not sharp, neither clotted norgrowing thick in the straining (like wax), and when set inthe sun flowing abroad, and when lighted at a candle notwith a dark flame, and keeping strength in its smell afterit is put out. They counterfeit it by mixing glaucium[3-100], gum, or juice of the wild lettuce. But dissolved,that made from glaucium is a saffron colour. That of thewild lettuce is faint in its smell and rougher. That of gumis without strength and transparent. Some are come to somuch madness as to mix grease with it. It is set on fire foreye medicines in a new ceramic jar until it appears to besofter and a more yellowish red.

Erasistratus says that Diagoras disallows the use of itfor those who are sick with ear sores or eye sores, becauseit is a duller of the sight and a causer of sleep. Andreassays that if it were not adulterated they would be blindwho were rubbed with it. Mnesidemus says that the useof it is only effective to inhale, good to cause sleep, andthat otherwise it is hurtful. These things are false,disproved by experience, because the efficacy of themedicine bears witness to the work of it.

It is not out of place to describe the way they gatherthe liquid. Some beat the stems with the leaves, squeeze it out through a press, beat it in a mortar, and make it intolozenges. This is called meconium and is weaker thanopium. It is necessary for those who make opium (afterthe dew has dried away) to scarify around the asterisk[star on top] with a knife so that it does not pierce into theinside, and from the sides of the head make straightincisions in the outside, and to wipe off the fluid that

608



609

Psyllium


610


Mala insana


comes out with the finger into a spoon, and again toreturn not long after, for there is found anotherthickened (fluid), and also on the day after. It must bepounded in a mortar and stored as tablets, but in cuttingit you must stand back so that the liquid is not wipedaway on your clothes. It is also called chamaesyce, meconrhoeas, or oxytonon; the Romans say papaver, and theEgyptians, wanti.

4-66. MEKON KERATITES

SUGGESTED: Papaver corniculatum [Fuchs, Brunfels],Chelidonium glaucum [Linnaeus], Glaucium flavum [in

Sprague], Glaucium luteum — Horned Poppy, Sea Poppy

Papaver cornutum has rough white leaves similar toverbascum [4-104], jagged like a saw all around like

those of wild poppy, with the stalk the same, the flower apale yellow, with a little pod (bending like a horn) similarto that of fenugreek, from which it is named. The seed issmall, black, similar to that of poppy. The thick black rootgrows on the surface of the ground. It grows in roughmaritime places. The root (boiled in water until half theamount remains and taken as a drink) is able to curesciatica and liver disorders, and to help those who urinate thick or cobweb-like stuff. An acetabulum [vinegar cruet]of a decoction of the seed (taken as a drink with honeyand water) purges the bowels gently, and the leaves andflowers (smeared on with oil) root out the crusts of ulcers. Rubbed on, it takes away argema [small white ulcer on thecornea] and small clouds in the eyes of beasts. Some havebeen deceived, thinking that glaucium [3-100] was madeof this, because of the resemblance of the leaves. In eating or drinking this same horned poppy the same symptomsoccur as in the taking of opium [above], and they fallunder the same remedies. The seed is gathered dry in thesummer. A decoction of the root is taken as a drink and itcures dysentery. It is also called paralion, agreste papaver, or thalassium, the Romans say pabulum marinum, and theAfricans, sisimaca.


611

Glaucium flavum


4-67. MEKON APHRODES

SUGGESTED: Heracleum gummiferum, Heracleum pubescens,Heracleum pyrenaicum — Downy Cow Parsnip

Papaver spumeum (called heracleum by some) has a stalktwenty centimetres long, and the leaves especially

small, similar to radicula [radish], the seed white betweenthem, and the entire small herb is white and frothy. Theroot is thin for the most part. The seed of this is gatheredin the summer when it is fully-grown, and when driedfalls away. A vinegar cruet of the seed (taken with honeyand water) purges by vomiting, and such a purging iseffectively good for epilepsy.

4-68. UPEKOON

SUGGESTED: Hypecoum procumbens — Horned Cumin, Procumbent Hypecoum

Hypecoon (also called hypopheon) grows among wheatand fields. It has a leaf similar to rue, with little

branches, and it has uses similar to those of the juice ofpoppy.

4-69. UOSKUAMOS MELAS,UOSKUAMOS LEUKOS, UOSKUAMOS

MELOIDES

SUGGESTED: Hyoscyamus flavus [Fuchs], Hyoscyamus niger[Linnaeus] — Henbane, Hen Bell, Hyoscyamus

Hyoscyamus albus — White Henbane

POISONOUS

Hyoscyamus is a shrub that sends out thick stalks. Theleaves are broad, somewhat long, jagged, black,

and rough. At the stalk flowers come out in sequence, like the flowers of the pomegranate, hedged in with littleshields full of seed (like the poppy above). There are three important different types, however. For one bears almostpurple flowers, leaves similar to smilax [4-144, 4-145], ablack seed, and little hard, prickly shields. But the otherhas yellowish flowers, with the leaves and pods more

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613

Solanum hortense


614


Physalis alkekengi


tender, and the seed a faint yellow like that of iris. Theseboth cause delirium and sleep, and are scarcely usable.The fittest for cures is the third kind, which is the gentlest— fat, tender, and downy, with white flowers and whiteseed. It grows near the sea and among the rubbish ofbuildings.

You must therefore use the white, but if this is notpresent then you must use the yellow, but refuse theblack, which is the worst. The seed is juiced while tender,and the leaves and the stalks are pounded and pressed,the mass then dried in the sun. It is useful for a yearbecause it is soon spoiled. The seed of it (in particular) isjuiced, pounded until dry with hot water poured on it,and so pressed out. The juice is better than the liquid, and better for pain. The green seed is pounded and mixedwith 'three months' wheat meal, made into tablets, andstored. First of all the juice and that liquid made from thedry seed is made for suppositories to take away pain, forsharp hot mucus, ear pains, and the disorders of thewomb. With meal or polenta it is used for inflammationof the eyes and feet, and other inflammation. Ten grainsof the seeds (taken in a drink with the seed of poppy,honey and water) do the same things, and are also goodfor coughs, mucus, fluid discharges of the eyes and theirother disorders, and for women's excessive discharges[menstrual flow] and other discharges of blood. Pounded into small pieces with wine and applied, it is good forgout, inflated genitals, and breasts swollen in childbirth.It is effective mixed with other poultices made to stoppain. The leaves (made into little balls) are good to use inall medications — mixed with polenta or else applied bythemselves. The fresh leaves (smeared on) are the mostsoothing of pain for all difficulties. A decoction of three or four (taken as a drink with wine) cures fevers calledepialae [sudden]. Boiled like vegetables and a tryblium[plateful] eaten, they cause a mean disturbance of thesenses. They say if anyone gives a suppository with it tosomeone that has an ulcer in the perineum that it has thesame effect. The root (boiled with vinegar) is a mouthrinse for toothache.

It is also called dioscyamos, pythonion, adamas,adamenon, hypnoticum, emmanes, atomon, or dithiambrion;Pythagoras and Osthenes call it xeleon, Zoroastres,tephonion, the Romans, inanaoentaria, some, Apollinaris,

615


the Magi, rhaponticum, the Egyptians, saptho, theThuscans, phoebulonga, the Gauls, bilinuntiam, and theDacians, dieliam.

4-70. PSULLION

SUGGESTED: Psyllium [Fuchs], Psyllium majus erectum[Bauhin], Plantago psyllium [Linnaeus]— Psyllium, Flea Seed

Psyllium has a rough leaf similar to coronopis [2-158]only longer, stems twenty centimetres long, and the

whole herb little like hay. The stem comes from themiddle of the stalk, with two or three little pods rolled onthe top close together, in which is seed similar to fleas,black and hard. It grows in fields and untilled places.

Applied with rosaceum [1-53], vinegar, or water it iscooling; it helps the arthritic, inflammation of the parotidgland, tumours, oedema, dislocations and aches.Smeared on with vinegar it heals the hernias of childrenand those whose navels protrude. Having pounded anacetabulum [vinegar cruet] of it into small pieces, theymust steep it in two fingers of water, and smear it on(when the water has grown thick) for it cools abundantly. Put into boiling water it suppresses heat, and it is alsogood against erysipela [streptococcal skin infection]. They say that brought into a house (fresh) it does not allowfleas to breed. Pounded with grease it cleans the foulnessand malignancies of ulcers, and the juice (with honey) isgood for running ears, and ears with worms. It is alsocalled cataphysis, cynocephalion, crystallium, cynomuia,psylleris, or sicelioticon; the Sicilians call it conidijs, theRomans, silvacium, some, herba pulicaria, and the Africans,vargugum.

4-71. STRUCHNOS KEPAIOS

SUGGESTED: Mala-insana, Amoris poma [Fuchs], Solanum pomiferum fructu oblongo [Bauhin], Solanum melongena [Linnaeus] — Eggplant

Strychnos cepaius is a little shrub that is edible, not large, with many wings, the leaves dark, bigger and

broader than ocymum [basil], the fruit round and green,which becomes black or yellow after it is ripe. The herb is

616



617

Deadly Nightshade Atropa belladona

POISONOUS


618


Mandragora mas


harmless to the taste, and it is cooling — as a result theleaves (applied) are good for erysipela [streptococcal skininfection] and shingles [herpes] with flour of polenta. Bythemselves (pounded into small pieces and applied) they cure ulcers on the eyes and aches. Pounded into smallpieces with salt and applied, they help a burningstomach, and dissolve inflammation of the parotid gland. The juice (with cerusa [wax], rosaceum [1-53] and sediment [of grapes]) is good against erysipela [streptococcal skininfection] and herpes [viral skin infection]; and with bread for ulcers on the eyes. Gently poured on with rosaceum, itis good for children with psoriasis. It is mixed witheyewashes instead of water, or (with an egg) for rubbingon for sharp discharges. Dropped in the ears it helpsearache, and applied as a pessary in wool it stopswomen's excessive discharges [menstrual flow]. The juice (kneaded together with yellow dung from barn hens andapplied in a linen cloth) is suitable for aegilopses [ulcer orfistula in the inner angle of the eye]. It is also called[strychnos] sative, the Romans call it strumum, some,cacubalum, the Egyptians, allelo, the Gauls, scubulum, andthe Africans, astrismunim.

4-72. STRUCHNON ALIKAKABON

SUGGESTED: Halicacabum vulgare, Vesicaria, Alkakengi [Fuchs], Physalis alkekengi [Linnaeus], Physalis halicacabum,

Physalis francheti, Alkekengi officinarum — Strawberry Tomato, Winter Cherry, Alkekeng, Bladder Herb

POISONOUS

There is also another strychnos (which they properlycall halicacabum [bad poison] or physalis) with similar

leaves to that previously spoken of, yet broader, but thestalks of this (after they have grown) bend towards theearth. It has fruit in round pods similar to bladders —reddish, round, smooth, like the kernel of a grape —which the crown-plaiters use, plaiting with it wreaths forthe head. It has the same strength and use as gardenstrychnos [above] except when eaten. The fruit (taken in adrink) is able to clean away urinary jaundice. The herb ofeither of them is juiced and dried in the shade for storage, and is available for the same uses. It is also calleddirceaum, solanum furiale, dorycnion, or calliada; the

619


Romans call it Apollinaris minor, some, herba ulticana,opsaginem, or vesicaria; the Dacians call it cucolida, and theAfricans, cacabum.

4-73. STRUCHNON UPNOTIKON

SUGGESTED: Solanum somniferum, Mandragora morion [Fuchs],Solanum melanocerasus [Bauhin], Atropa belladonna

— Deadly Nightshade

Strychnos [Latin] — Nightshades — Solanum species

POISONOUS

Strychnos somnificum is a shrub of a good size, withmany thick branches, with tails, hard to break, full of

fat leaves, similar to the quince, with a red flower of goodsize, and the fruit in pods of a saffron colour. The root hasa somewhat red bark. It grows in rocky places not farfrom the sea. A teaspoonful of a decoction of the bark ofthis root (taken as a drink in wine) is sleep inducing,milder than the liquid of poppy. But the fruit is toourinary. A decoction of a cluster of twelve berries (takenas a drink) is given for dropsy, but more induce a faint.This is helped by a large quantity of honey and watertaken as a drink. The juice of it is mixed with medicationsand lozenges to ease pain. Boiled in wine and held [in themouth] it helps toothache. The juice from the root(rubbed on with honey) takes away dullness of the sight.Some call this halicacabum [bad poison].

4-74. STRUCHNON MANIKON

SUGGESTED: Solanum hortense [Fuchs], Solanum officinarum[Bauhin], Solanum nigrum [Fuchs, Linnaeus]

— Black Nightshade, Hound’s Berry

Strychnos [Latin] — Nightshades — Solanum species

POISONOUS

Strychnos manicus has a leaf that is a neighbour to eruca[2-170] but bigger, coming close to those of the

acanthus called paederos. It sends out ten or twelve tallstalks from the root, the height of one and a half metres,with heads lying on them like olives but rougher, like the

620


621


Aconitum pardalianches


622


Aconitum lycocotonum luteum


ball of the plane tree but bigger and broader. The floweris black and after this it has cluster-like fruit — round,black, ten or twelve in partitions, similar to the cluster ofberries of cissus [2-210], soft as grapes. The root liesunderneath — white, thick, hollow, the length of about afoot. It grows in hilly places open to the wind, and among rocks near the sea. A teaspoon of a decoction of the root(taken as a drink with wine) is able to effect notunpleasant fantasies [hallucinogenic]. Two teaspoonfulsof a decoction (taken as a drink) make one beside himselffor three days, and four (taken as a drink) kill him. Theremedy of this is honey and water, taken as a drink incopious amounts and vomited up again. Some havecalled it persion, thryon, anydron, pentadryon, enoron, ororthogyion.

4-75. DORUKNION

SUGGESTED: Dorycnium [Bedevian] — Venemous TrefoilALSO: Dorycnium monspeliense, Dorycnium herbaceum

Senecio doronicum — Leopard’s Bane Groundsel

POISONOUS

Dorycnium is a shrub similar to a newly-planted olive,with branches less than a foot long. It grows among

rocks not far from the sea. It has leaves similar to the olivein colour but smaller, stronger and extremely coarse. Theflower is white, on the top it has little pods as thick asthose of cicer [2-126] in which are five or six little roundseeds, about the amount of little ervum [2-129, 2-131],smooth, firm, and of various colours. The root is thethickness of a finger and the length of a foot, and thisseems also to have a sleepy quality, and taken too much it kills. Some also say that the seed of it is taken for lovemedicines. Crateuas calls it halicacabum [a bad poison], orcaleam.

623


4-76. MANDRAGORAS

SUGGESTED: Mandragora mas [Fuchs], Mandragora fructu rotundo [Bauhin], Mandragora officinarum

[Linnaeus], Atropa mandragora, Mandragorites— Common Mandrake, Devil’s Apple

NARCOTIC, POISONOUS

Mandagoras has a root that seems to be a maker oflove medicines. There is one sort that is female,

black, called thridacias, with narrower, longer leaves thanlettuce, with a poisonous, heavy scent, scattered on theground. Among them are apples similar to serviceberries— pale, with a sweet scent — in which is seed like a pear.The two or three roots are a good size, wrapped withinone another, black according to outward appearance,white within, and with a thick bark; but it has no stalk.

The male is white, and some have called it norion. Theleaves are bigger, white, broad, smooth like beet but theapples are twice as big — almost saffron in colour, sweet-smelling, with a certain strength — which the shepherdseat to fall asleep. The root is similar to that above, yetbigger and paler, and it is also without a stalk. The bark ofthe root is pounded and juiced while it is fresh, andplaced under a press. After it is stirred the beaters shouldbottle it in a ceramic jar. The apples are also juiced in asimilar way, but the juice from them becomes weakened.The bark from the root is peeled off, pierced with athread, and hanged up in storage. Some boil the roots inwine until a third remains, strain it, and put it in jars.

They use a winecupful of it for those who cannotsleep, or are seriously injured, and whom they wish toanaesthetise to cut or cauterize. Twenty grains of thejuice (taken as a drink with honey and water) expelphlegm and black bile upward like hellebore, but whentoo much is taken as a drink it kills. It is mixed with eyemedicines, medications to ease pain, and softeningsuppositories. As much as five grains (applied alone)expels the menstrual flow and is an abortifacient, and put up into the perineum as a suppository it causes sleep. The root is said to soften ivory, boiled together with it for sixhours, and to make it ready to be formed into whatevershape a man wants. Applied with polenta, the new leaves are good both for inflammations of the eyes and ulcers.

624


625


Cicuta


626


Taxus baccata


They dissolve all hardnesses, abscesses, glandulartumours [possibly goitre], and tumours. Rubbed ongently for five or six days it defaces scars withoutulcerating. The leaves (preserved in brine) are stored forthe same uses. The root (pounded into small pieces withvinegar) heals erysipela [streptococcal skin infection],and is used with honey or oil for the strikes of snakes.With water it disperses scrofulous tumours [glandularswelling], goitres and tumours; and with polenta itsoothes the pains of the joints. Wine from the bark of theroot is prepared without boiling. You must put threepounds (of the bark of the root) into thirteen gallons ofsweet wine, and three cupfuls of it is given to those whoshall be cut or cauterized (as previously mentioned). Forthey do not notice the pain because they are overcomewith dead sleep; and the apples (inhaled or eaten) aresleep inducing, as is the apple juice. Used too much theymake men speechless. A decoction of the seed of theapples (taken as a drink) purges the womb, and given as a pessary with sulphur that never felt the fire it stops thered excessive discharge [menstrual flow]. It is juiced —the root first incised or cut around various ways — andthat which runs out is then gathered into a bowl; and thejuice is more effective than the liquid. The roots do notbear liquid in every place; experience shows as much. They give out also that there is another sort called moriongrowing in shady places and around hollows, havingleaves similar to the white mandrake but smaller (as itwere), twenty centimetres long, white, lying roundaround the root. This is tender and white, a little longerthan twenty centimetres, the thickness of the greatfinger. They say as much as a teaspoon of a decoction ofthis (taken as a drink or eaten with polenta in placetum, orfood that is eaten with bread), will infatuate [causeunconsciousness]. For a man sleeps in the same fashionas when he ate it (sensible of nothing for three or fourhours) from the time that it is brought him. Andphysicians also use this when they are about to cut orcauterize [anaesthetic]. They say also that a decoction ofthe root (taken as a drink with strychnos manicum) is anantidote. It is also called antimelon, dircaea, circea, circaeum,xeranthe, antimnion, bombochylon, or minon; the Egyptianscall it apemum, Pythagoras, anthropomorphon, some, aloitin,

627


thridacian, or cammaron; Zoroastres calls it diamonon, orarchinen, the Magi, hemionous, some, gonogeonas, theRomans, mala canina, and some, mala terrestria.

4-77. AKONITON

SUGGESTED: Aconitum pardalianches [Fuchs], Solanum quadrifolium bacciferum [Bauhin], Paris quadrifolia [Linnaeus] — Herb Paris

[other usage] Aconitum napellus, Aconitum variable, Aconitum pyramidale — Monk’s Hood, Aconite, Wolf’s-bane

POISONOUS

Aconitum has three or four leaves similar to cyclamenor cucumber, yet smaller and a little rough; with a

stalk of twenty centimetres, and a root similar to the tailof a scorpion, glittering like alabaster. They say that theroot of this applied to a scorpion makes him insensible,and that he is raised again by hellebore applied to him. Itis also mixed with pain-relieving medicines for eyes. Putinto lumps of meat and given to them, it kills panthers,sows, wolves, and all wild beasts. It is also calledpardalianches, cammarum, thelyphonum, myoctonon, ortheriophonon.

4-78. AKONITON ETERON

SUGGESTED: Aconitum luteum, Aconitum lycoctonum [Fuchs,Linnaeus], Aconitum pyrenaicum, Aconitum vulparia

—Wolf’s-bane, Dog’s-bane

POISONOUSR

Aconitum alterum grows plentifully in Italy on the hillscalled Vestini, differing from that above. It has

leaves similar to those of the plane tree but more jaggedand a great deal smaller and darker, with a bare stalk (like a stem of fern) the height of a foot or more. The seed is inpods, in a way somewhat long; the black roots are like the fringes of squills [sea onions]; these they use for huntingwolves, placing them into raw meat which, when eatenby the wolves, kills them. It is also called cynoctonon,lycoctonon, or white bean, while the Romans call itcolomestrum.

628


Aconitum napellus


Aconitum lycoctonum


629


Ephemerum non letale


630


Helxine, Parietaria


4-79. KONEION

SUGGESTED: Cicuta, Conion [Fuchs], Cicuta major [Bauhin]Conium maculatum [Linnaeus], Coriandrum maculatum

— Poison Hemlock, Herb Bennet, Common Hemlock

[other usage] Cicuta virosa —Water Hemlock, Cowbane

POISONOUS

Conium sends out a great knotty stalk (similar tomarathrum [3-81]), with leaves similar to ferula but

narrower with a heavy smell, and on the tops, abnormalgrowths and tufts, and a whitish flower with seed similarto aniseed [3-65] only whiter. The root is hollow and notdeep. This is also one of the venomous herbs killing withits coldness, but it is helped by unmixed wine. The tops(or the filaments) are juiced before the seed is dry,pounded, pressed out, and thickened by stirring in thesun. Dried, this is very useful in cures. The juice iseffectively mixed with pain-relieving eyewashes orsalves. Smeared on, it removes herpes and erysipela[streptococcal skin infection]. The herb and the filaments(pounded into small pieces and smeared on about thetesticles) help lustful dreamers and nocturnal emission ofsperm; and smeared on, they weaken the genitals. Theydrive away milk, prevent the breasts from enlargingduring virginity, and prevent the testicles in childrenfrom developing. The most potent grows in Crete,Megara and Attica, then that which grows in Chios andCilicia. It is also called aegynos, ethusa, apolegousa, dolia,amaurosis, paralysis, aphron creidion, coete, catechomenion,abioton, apseudes, ageomoron, timoron, polyanodynos,dardanis, or catapsyxis; Osthenes calls it babathy, theEgyptians, apemphin, and the Romans, cicuta.

4-80. MILAX

SUGGESTED: Taxus baccata [Pliny] — Yew Tree

POISONOUS

Milax is a tree similar to the fir in its leaves and theirquantities, growing in Italy and Narbona near

Spain. Chickens that eat the fruit of that which grows in

631


Italy turn black, and men that eat it fall intounconsciousness. That growing in Narbonie has suchgreat strength that those who sit underneath (or fallasleep) are hurt by the shade, and that frequently theydie. This is mentioned as a warning. It is also calledthymalus, and the Romans call it taxus.

4-81. APOCUNON

SUGGESTED: Apocynum venetum — Venetian Dog’s-bane

POISONOUS

Apocynon is a shrub with long willow-like stems, hardto break; leaves similar to cissus [2-210] but softer

and sharper towards the top; with a heavy scent; full ofyellow juice, somewhat viscous. The fruit is like a pod ofbeans, about the thickness of a finger, similar to a bladder, in which are little seeds — hard, small and black. Put intobread and put out for them, the leaves of this kills dogs,wolves, foxes, and panthers, and immediately dissolvestheir lips. It is also called cynanchon, pardalianches,cynomoron, cynocrambe, cynoctonon, phaleos, cynanche,oligoros, hippomanes, onistis, ophioscorodon, cynarice, orelaphoscordon; the Magi call it paralysis, the Romans,brassica rustica, and some, canina.

4-82. NERION

SUGGESTED: Nerium, Oleander [Fuchs], Nerium oleander — Rose Bay, Oleander

POISONOUS

Nerium is a well-known shrub, with longer, thickerleaves than the almond; a flower similar to a rose,

and fruit similar to that of the almond, but with a hornwhich (opened) is full of a downy stuff similar tothistledown. The root is sharp, pointed, long, woody, and brackish to the taste. It grows in enclosed greens, sea-bordering places and in places near rivers. The flowerand the leaves are able to kill dogs, asses, mules and mostfour footed living creatures, but they preserve men [deadbodies, perhaps]. A decoction is taken as a drink withwine against the bites of venomous creatures, and more

632


633


Sedum minus mas


634


Urtica maior


so if you mix it with rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98]; but more weaksorts of living creatures such as goats and sheep die ifthey drink the steepings of them. It is also calledrododaphne, rhododendron, spongos, or haemostaris; theRomans call it rhododendron, oleander, and laurorosa, theLucanians, icmane, the Egyptians, scinphe, and theAfricans, rhodedaphane.

4-83. MUKETES

SUGGESTED: Fungi species — Mushrooms etc.

SOME SPECIES POISONOUS

Fungi have a double difference for they are eitheredible or poisonous, and come to be so on many

occasions, for they grow among rusty nails, rotten rags,the holes of snakes, or among trees that bear harmfulfruits. Such as these also have a viscous coalesced fluid,and stored after they are picked they quickly spoil,growing rotten. Those that are not harmful (boiled inbroth) are sweet, yet for all that taken too much they hurt, being hard to digest, choking or breeding bile. All arehelped; drenched with nitre [saltpetre] and oil, or soakedin a decoction of sharp brine or thymbra [3-45], or liquifiedwith origanum, or hen dung with vinegar, or syrupedwith a quantity of honey. They are nourishing and hardto dissolve, and are put out whole (for the most part) with the excrement.

4-84. KOLCHIKON

SUGGESTED: Colchicum, Hermodactylis [Fuchs], Colchicum commune [Bauhin], Colchicum autumnale [Linnaeus]

— Meadow Saffron

POISONOUS

When autumn ceases colchicum sends out a whitishflower similar to the flower of saffron; afterwards

it bears leaves similar to bulbus [2-200], but fatter. Thestalk is twenty centimetres long; it has a red seed, and theroot has a tawny black bark which, peeled, and is foundwhite, tender, and full of sweet liquid. The bulb has acentral partition at which it sends out the flower. It grows

635


abundantly in Messenia and at Colchos. Eaten, it kills bychoking, similar to mushrooms. We have described it sothat it may not lie hidden and be eaten instead of bulbus,for it is strangely alluring to the inexperienced for itspleasantness. To help those who eat these, give themwhatever helps those who eat mushrooms [above], andcow's milk (taken as a drink) so that when this is at handthey need no other help. It is also called ephemerum, oragrestis bulbus, and the Romans call it bulbus agrestis.

4-85. EPHEMERON

SUGGESTED: Ephemerum-non-letale, Lilium convallium [Fuchs],Lilium convallium album [Bauhin], Convallaria majalis

[Linnaeus] — Lily of The Valley

Ephemerum has leaves and a stalk similar to the lily butwhiter, the flowers white, bitter, and the seed soft.

The root lies underneath, single, the thickness of a finger,long, astringent and sweet smelling. It grows in woodsand shady places. The root of this (used in a mouth rinse)is a remedy for toothache. The leaves (boiled in wine andsmeared on) dissolve oedema and tumours without fluid. It is also called agrestis iris.

4-86. ELXINE

SUGGESTED: Helxine, Parietaria [Fuchs],Parietaria officinarum et Dioscorides [Bauhin],

Parietaria officinalis [Linnaeus] — Pellitory of the Wall[other usage] Helxine soleirolii, Soleirolia soleirolii

— Mind-your-own-business, Mother of Thousands

Helxine grows in mounds and walls. It has thin littlestalks, somewhat red, rough leaves similar to

mercury [4-191]; and around the stalks (as it were) sharplittle seeds, catching hold of cloths. The leaves areastringent and cooling, as a result (smeared on) they healerysipela [streptococcal skin infection], venereal warts,dehydration, pannus [opaque thickening of cornea withveins] that is beginning, all types of inflammation, andoedema. The juice of it (mixed with cerussa [white leadore] and smeared on) helps erysipela [streptococcal skininfection] and herpes [viral skin infection]; and taken with

636


637


Galeopsis minor


638


Gallium


cyprinum [1-65] and goat’s grease, it helps gout in the feet.As much as a wine cupful of the juice (sipped) helps those who have coughed a long time, is an effective gargle andointment for inflamed tonsils, and dropped in the earswith rosaceum [1-53] is good for earache. It is also calledsideritis, parthenium, heraclia, asyria, agrestis hygiena,clibadium, or polyonymon.

4-87. ALSINE

SUGGESTED: Alsine maior [Fuchs], Alsine media [Bauhin,Linnaeus], Stellara media [in Sprague] — Stitchwort,

Chickweed, Starwort [Mabberley][other usage] Alsine junipera, Alsine verna — Alsine

Alsine procubens, Arenaria procubens — Purslane, Chickweed,Sandwort

see 2-214

Alsine is named because it has leaves similar to thelittle ears of a mouse, and it is also called alsine

because it loves shady woody places. It is a herb similar tohelxine [4-86] but lower, longer-leaved, and not rough,and bruised it smells of cucumbers. Smeared on withpolenta, it is cooling and astringent, good forinflammation of the eyes. The juice of it is dropped in theears for earaches, and in general it can do the same thingsas helxine. It is also called mouse-ear, anthyllion,myortochon, or myortosplenon; the Romans call it murisauricula, and the Africans, laphotholabat.

4-88. PHAKOS EPI TON TELMATON

SUGGESTED: Lemna polyrrhiza, Spirodela polyrrhiza — Greater Duckweed

Lemna minor — Water Lentils, Water Lens, Duckweed

Lens (which grows in marshes) is found in standingwaters, being a moss similar to lentils which is

cooling. It is good (applied both by itself or with polenta)for all inflammation, erysipela [streptococcal skininfection], and gout of the feet; and it also heals vaginalhernias found in children. It is also called wild lens, orepipteron, the Romans call it viperalis, and some,iceosmigdonos.

639


4-89. AEIZOON TO MEGA

SUGGESTED: Sedum maius [Fuchs], Sedum majus vulgare[Bauhin], Sempervivum tectorum [Linnaeus] — Houseleek,

Hens and Chickens, Jupiter’s Beard, Roof Houseleek

The Greeks gave the name aizoon to sempervivum [Loudon].

The great aizoon is called this because of its evergreenleaves. It sends out stalks a foot long or rather more,

the thickness of a big finger, fat, very flourishing, within-cuts (as it were) like the Characian tithymal [4-165a].The leaves are fat, the size of a big finger, similar to atongue towards the top, those below bendingdownwards, but those around the head set together oneto another, describing an eye-like circle. It grows in hillyand tilled places. Some plant it on their houses.

It is cooling and astringent; the leaves (applied bythemselves or with polenta) are good for erysipela, herpes[viral skin infection], and gangrenous ulceration of thecheeks, inflammation of the eyes, burns, and gout in thefeet. The juice is poured on with polenta and rosaceum[1-53] for headaches, and it is given in drink to thosebitten by harvest spiders, those with diarrhoea, and fordysentery. Taken as a drink with wine it draws outroundworms, and in a pessary it stops women's excessive discharges [menstrual flow]. The juice is effective rubbedon weak eyes, by reason of blood. It is also called aeithales,ambrosion, chrysospermon, zoophthalmon, bouophthalmum,stergethron, aeonion aichryson, holochryson, chrysanthemom,protogonom, boros, or notios; the Magi call it paronychia,some, chrysitis, the Romans, ceriacuspia, some, Jovis caulis,leapetes, or sedum majus, and the Egyptians, pamphanes.

4-90. AEIZOON TO MIXRON

SUGGESTED: Sedum minus mas [Fuchs], Sedum rupestre[Linnaeus] — Stonecrop

Sempervivum parvum [aizoon] grows in walls, rocks,mounds, and somewhat shady ditches. The many

little stalks emerge from one root, thin, full of little round,fat, leaves, small, sharp on the top. It sends out a stalk inthe middle also, in size about twenty centimetres, with atuft and flowers, thin and green. The leaves of this have

640


Sempervivum tectorum


641


Senecio vulgaris


642


Potamogeton


the same strength as the previous one. Some call thethin-leaved sempervivum, sempervivum parvum,petrophthes, or sempervivum sylvestre, and the Romans callit sempervivum minus. Sempervivum is also calledpetrophues, brotion, theobrotion, crobysson, chimerinen, orceraunia; the Romans call it vitalis, some, herba semperviva,and the Egyptians, etijcelta.

4-91. AEIZOON ETERON

SUGGESTED: Sedi tertium genus [Fuchs], Sempervivum minus vermiculatum acre [Bauhin],

Sedum acre [Linnaeus] — Wall Pepper, Stonecrop[Mabberley]

There seems to be a third kind of sempervivum that haslittle leaves, thicker, similar to those of portulaca

[4-168], and rough. It grows among rocks. It is warming,sharp, and ulcerating, dissolving tumours [possiblygoitre] applied with goose grease. It is also called portulaca agrestis, or telephium, and the Romans call it illecebra.

4-92. KOTULEDON

SUGGESTED: Cotyledon lusitanica, Umbilicus erectus — Kidneywort, Navelwort, Venus’s Navelwort

Cotyledon umbilicus — Cotyledon, Navelwort, Pennywort

Umbilicus veneris has a leaf like an acetabulum [vinegarcruet], round, hidden, and hollow, with a short little

stalk in the middle in which is the seed. The root is roundlike the olive. The juice of this and the leaves (rubbed onwith wine or squirted in), loosens the obstructions of theskin in the genitals. Applied, it helps inflammation,erysipela [streptococcal skin infection], chilblains,tumours [possibly goitre], and a burning stomach. Theleaves (eaten with the root) break stones [urinary,kidney], and induce urine. It is given with mead [honeywine] for dropsy, and they also use it for love medicines.It is also called scytalium, cymbalium, hortus veneris, terraeumbilicus, stichis, or stergthron, and the Romans call itumbilicus veneris.

643


Cotyledon umbilicus


4-93. KOTULEDON ETERON

SUGGESTED: Cotyledon orbiculata, Cotyledon barbeyi — Cotyledon

There is also another kind of cotyledon with broader,fat leaves similar to little tongues, thick around the

root, describing (as it were) an eye in the middle, similarto the bigger sempervivum [4-89], astringent to the taste. Ithas a thin little stalk, and on it flowers and seeds similar to hypericum [3-171], but the root is bigger. It is good for thesame uses as sempervivum. It is also called cymbalium.

4-94. AKALUPHE, AKALUPHE ETERA

SUGGESTED: Urtica romana, Urtica vera [Fuchs], Urtica pilulifera [Linnaeus], Urtica dioica, Urtica urens

[Linnaeus] — Roman Nettle [Loudon] Urtica maior [Fuchs], Urtica urens maxima [Bauhin],

Urtica dioica [Linnaeus] — Stinging Nettle[other usage] Acalypha indica — Acalypha,

Three-seeded Mercury

Acalyphe has two varieties. One is wilder, sharper anddarker in the leaves, and it has a seed similar to

hempseed only smaller, and the other has a thin seed, not as sharp. The leaves of either of them (smeared on withsalt) heal anything bitten by dogs, gangrene,malignancies, cancers, and the foulness of ulcers,dislocations, tumours, inflammation of the parotid gland, pannus [opaque thickening of cornea with veins], andabscesses. They are applied to the splenical with waxointment. The leaves (pounded into small pieces andapplied with the juice) are good for discharges of bloodfrom the nostrils. Pounded small and applied with myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116] they induce the menstrual flow; andthe new leaves (applied) restore a prolapsed womb. Adecoction of the seed (taken as a drink with passum [raisin wine]) is an aphrodisiac and opens the womb. Licked inwith honey it helps asthma, pleurisy and pneumonia,and fetches up stuff out of the chest. It is mixed withantiseptic preparations. The leaves (boiled together withsmall shellfish) soften the bowels, dissolve windiness,and induce urine. Boiled with barley water they bring upstuff from the chest. A decoction of the leaves (taken as a

644


645


Verbascum nigrum


646


Verbascum sylvestre


drink with a little myrrh) induces the menstrual flow, and the juice is gargled to keep down an inflamed uvula. It isalso called knide, or adice, the Romans call it urtica, theEgyptians, selepsion, the Dacians, dyn. The other acalypheis also called knide, and the Romans call it urtica mollis.

4-95. GALIOPSIS

SUGGESTED: Galeopsis, Scrophularia maior, Ficaria [Fuchs],Scrophularia aquatica [Linnaeus] — Water Figwort

[other usage] Galeopsis tetrahit — Galeopsis, Holy Hemp,Common Hempnettle

Galiopsis — the whole little shrub with the stalk andleaves is similar to the nettle, but the leaves are

smoother, and smell strongly if bruised. The thin flowersare nearly purple. It grows in hedges, byways and housecourtyards everywhere. The leaves, juice, stalk and seedare able to dissolve hard lumps, cancers, tumours[possibly goitre], inflammation of the parotid gland, andpannus [opaque thickening of cornea with veins]. Theymust lay on a poultice of this twice a day, making thepoultice lukewarm, and a decoction of this used in awarm pack is of benefit. It is also good applied with saltfor nomae [grazer disease, eats away muscle, tissue andbones], other gangrenes, and rotten ulcers. It is also called guleobdolon, or galephos, the Egyptians call it aethopi, andthe Romans, urtica labeonis.

4-96. GALLION

SUGGESTED: Gallium [Fuchs], Galium luteum [Bauhin],Galium verum [Linnaeus] — Ladies' Bedstraw, Rennet

Gallion is called this because coagulates milk insteadof rennet. It has little branches, with the leaves very

similar to aparina yet straight, and a thin yellowish floweron top, in thick abundance and smelling good. Theflower is smeared on for burns from fire, and it stopsflows of blood. It is also mixed with waxy rose ointmentand placed in the sun till it turns white, and this is a

647


medication for acopon. The root encourages sexualintercourse [aphrodisiac]. It grows in marshy places. It isalso called gallerium, or, galatium.

4-97. ERIGERON

SUGGESTED: Erigeron, Senetio [Fuchs, Brunfels], Senecio minor vulgaris [Bauhin], Senecio vulgaris [Linnaeus]

— Groundsel

Senecio is a reddish little stalk a foot high, with littleleaves like eruca [2-170], jagged at the edges only a

great deal smaller; the flowers are yellowish, quicklyopening, and after blowing turn into down. This is alsowhy it was called erigeron, because in the spring theflowers turn gray like hair; the root is of no use. It growsmostly on unmortared stone walls and about towns. Theleaves with the flowers are cooling. The leaves smearedon with a little wine, or else by themselves, cureinflammations from stones [kidney, urinary], and of theperineum. With manna thuris [1-83] it heals otherwounds, and nerves. The down smeared on by itself invinegar does the same. Drunk while fresh they causestrangling. The whole stalk soaked with water and drunk with must [grape pulp] cures pains of the stomach fromcholera. Some call it erechthites, the Romans, herbulum,some senecium]

4-98. THALIKTRON

SUGGESTED: Thalictrum aquilegifolium — Columbine-leaved Meadow Rue

Thalictrum flavum, Thalictrum nigricans — Fen Rue, Common Meadow Rue, False Rhubarb,

see 3-52, 3-53

Thalictrum has leaves similar to coriander but fatter,and a little stalk the thickness of rue on which are the

leaves. These are pounded into small pieces and appliedto form a skin over ulcers that will not heal. It grows(especially) in fields.

648


649


Petasites farfara


650


Personatia


4-99. BRUON THALASSION

SUGGESTED: Bryon, Bryum, Brion [French], Corallina officinalis— Thread Moss, Wall Moss, Corallina Muscus arboreus — Moss, Lichen Moss

Muscus marinus grows on stones and shells by the sea — hairy, slender, without a stalk, very astringent

— good for inflammation, and gout in the feet that needsastringency. It is also called ballaris, or irane, and theRomans call it gnomeusilum.

4-100. PHUKOS THALASSION

SUGGESTED: Fucus vesiculosus — Bladderwrack

Fucus marinus — one sort of it is broad, the othersomewhat long and almost purple and the third,

white, growing in Crete near the ground, veryflourishing, and not perishable. All are cooling inpoultices, good for gouty afflictions and inflammation,but they must use them while they are still moist (beforethey dry). Sicacer says that the Phoenician [red] is goodagainst snakes, which some have thought to be that littleroot which women use which is also called fucus.

4-101. POTAMOGEITON,POTAMOGEITON ETEROS

SUGGESTED: Potamogeton [Fuchs], Potamogeton rotundifolium[Bauhin], Potamogeton natans [Linnaeus] — Devil’s Spoons,

Tenchweed, Broad-leaved Pondweed

Potamogeton has a thick leaf (similar to beet) standing alittle above the water. It cools and is therapeutic, and

is good for itches, feeding ulcers, and old ulcers. It iscalled this because it grows in marshes and watery places.

There is also another potamogeton with leaves thesame but longer and thinner, the thin little stalks thesame, full of a reddish seed. Eaten, this is binding, andpounded into small pieces with wine and an acetabulum[vinegar cruet] taken as a drink, it helps dysentery andthe abdominal cavity, and stops women's excessive

651


bloody discharges [menstrual flow]. It also grows inwatery, marshy places. It is also called stachyitis; theRomans call it fatalist, the Egyptians, ethenchis.

4-102. STRATIOTES O EN TOIS UDASIN

SUGGESTED: Stratiotes aloides — Water Soldier Pistia stratiodes — Water Lettuce, Tropical Duckweed

Stratiotes which grows in the water is called thisbecause it swims on the waters and lives without a

root. It has a leaf similar to that of sempervivum [4-89 to4-91] yet bigger. It is cooling and stops bloody dischargesfrom the kidneys. A decoction (taken as a drink and alsosmeared on with vinegar) keeps wounds, erysipela[streptococcal skin infection] and oedema uninflammed.It is also called river stratiotes, the Egyptians call it tibus,and the Magi, the blood of a cat.

4-103. STRATIOTES CHILIOPHULLOS

SUGGESTED: Stratiotes-millefolium [Fuchs], Millefolium vulgare album [Bauhin], Achillea millefolium[Linnaeus], Millefolium, Stratiotes, Supercilium veneris

— Yarrow, Milfoil, Nosebleed

Stratiotes millefolius is a small little shrub twentycentimetres long (or more) with leaves similar to the

feathers of a young bird, and the abnormal growths of the leaves are very short and jagged. The leaves are (mostchiefly) similar in their shortness and roughness to wildcumin yet even shorter; and the tuft is thicker than thisand fuller, for it has small shoots on the top on which arethe tufts in the shape of dill [3-67]; the flowers are smalland white. It grows in somewhat rough fields andespecially around the ways. This herb is excellent for anexcessive discharge of blood, old and new ulcers, and forfistulas [ulcers].

652


653


Fumaria officinalis


654


Cytisus laburnum


4-104. PHLOMOS, PHLOMOS LEUKETHELEIA, PHLOMOS LEUKE ARREN,

PHLOMOS LEUKE MELAINA,PHLOMOS AGRIA

SUGGESTED: Verbascum sylvestre,Verbascum nigrum [Fuchs],Verbascum nigrum, Verbascum phlomoides [Linnaeus],

— Black MulleinVerbascum candidum foemina [Fuchs], Verbascum lychnitis

[Linnaeus] — White MulleinVerbascum candidum mas [Fuchs],Verbascum thapsus[Linnaeus], Verbascum densifolium, Thapsus barbatus

— Great Mullein, Aaron's Rod

IRRITANT RESIN

[other usage] Jerusalem Sage — Phlomis fructiosaWickweed — Phlomis floccosa

Phlomis has a double difference, for one sort is whiteand the other black; and of the white, one is female

and the other male. The leaves of the female are similar to brassica but with many more filaments, broader, andwhite. The white stalk is a foot high or more, somewhatrough. The flowers are white or of a faint aker [ochre]; theseed black; the root long, with a hard taste, the thicknessof a finger. It grows in fields. That called the male iswhite-leaved, somewhat long, narrower in the leaves,and thinner in the stalk. The black is similar to the whitein all things, yet it is broader-leaved and darker in theleaves. It is also called plenos; the Romans call itverbasculum, and some, foeminalis.

There is also another sort called wild, with tall stemsand tree-like, the leaves similar to sage, with sprigsaround the stems similar to marrubium, and a yellowishflower like gold. These phlomides are also two-fold, rough, growing near the ground, with round leaves.

There is a third phlomis, called lychnitis, sometimesthryallis, with three or four or more thick fat rough leaves, good for candle wicks. Of the two former, the root isastringent; as a result the amount of a knucklebone iseffective (given with wine in a drink) for flowing[diarrhoea]. A decoction of it is good for hernia,convulsions, bruises, as well as wounds from falls, andold coughs; and used as a mouthwash it soothestoothache. The golden colour in the flowers dyes the hair,

655


Verbascum thapsus


and wherever it is put it attracts woodworm. The leaves(boiled in water) are applied for oedema andinflammation of the eyes, and with honey (or wine) foreating ulcers. With vinegar it heals wounds and helpsthose touched by scorpions. The leaves of the wild kindare poultices for burns. They say that the leaves of thefemale sort stored together with figs, keeps them fromdecaying.

4-105. AITHIOPIS

SUGGESTED: [Pliny] Aethiopis — Ethiopian Sage — Salvia aethiopis

Aethiopis has leaves similar to verbascum [4-104], veryrough and thick, in a circle around the bottom of the

root. The stalk is foursquare, thick and rugged, similar toapiastrum [3-118], or arction [4-106], putting out manywings. The seed is about the size of ervum [2-129, 2-131]with two in one capsule. There are many long thick rootsfrom the very bottom, gluey to the taste, but dried theybecome black and hard like horns. It grows abundantly in Messenia and Ida. The root of this is called arcturum, andit has leaves similar to verbascum, only rougher androunder. The root is tender, sweet and white; and thestalk is soft and long, similar to little cumin. The root andseed of this (boiled in wine) are held in the mouth tolessen toothache; and it is applied with hot cloths forburns and chilblains. It is taken as a drink in wine forsciatica and painful urination.

4-106. ARKTION

SUGGESTED: Arctium minus — Lesser Burdock

Arctium (which some call arcturum) has leaves similarto verbascum [4-104] but rougher and rounder; the

tender root is sweet and white; and the soft stalk long like little cumin. The root and seed of this (soaked in wine)have the strength (held in the mouth) to soothetoothache. It is a poultice for burns and chilblains. It isalso drunk in wine for sciatica and dysuria.

656


657


Aster atticus purpureus


658


Viola odorata


4-107. ARKEION

SUGGESTED: Personatia, Lappa maior, Bardana [Fuchs],Lappa major, Arcium Dioscorides [Bauhin], Arctium majus,

Arctium tomentosum, Arctium lappa, Lappa tomentosa, Arctium bardana — Greater Burdock, Batchelor’s Buttons,

Beggar’s Buttons

see 4-106

Arcion has leaves similar to those of colocynthis yetbigger, harder, darker and rough, with a whitish

stalk; sometimes the herb is without one. The root islarge, white within, but black on the outside. Oneteaspoon of a decoction (taken as a drink with pinekernels) helps spitters of blood and corrupt matter, andsmeared on, it soothes sores from wrenching the jointsaround. The leaves are effective applied to old ulcers. It isalso called personata, prosopis, prosopion, or aparine, theRomans call it personacea, and some, lappa.

4-108. PETASITES

SUGGESTED: Petasites hybridus [in Sprague], Petasites officinalis,Petasites vulgaris, Tussilago petasites [Linnaeus] — Butterbur,

Bog Rhubarb[other usage] Petasites fragrans — Winter Heliotrope,

Sweet Coltsfoot Petasites albus — White Butterbur

Petasites has a little stalk higher than a foot, thethickness of the big finger, on which is a large leaf

similar to a hat lying on it, like a mushroom. It is goodpounded into small pieces and smeared on formalignancies and eating ulcers.

659


Petasites officinalis


4-109. EPIPAKTIS

SUGGESTED: Epipactis grandiflora, Cephalenthera ensifolia — Epipactis, Helleborine

Epipactis helleborine, Epipactis latifolia — Broad Helleborine

Epipactis is a small little shrub with very small littleleaves. It is taken as a drink against poisons

[antidote], and for disorders in the liver. It is also calledelleborine, or borion.

4-110. KAPNOS

SUGGESTED: Capnum, Pes Galliniceus [Pliny], Fumaria, Fumus terrae [Fuchs], Fumaria officinalis [Linnaeus]

— Fumitory, Fumiterre

Corydalis is an ancient Greek name for fumitory [Loudon].

Capnum is a very tender shrubby little herb similar tocoriander, but the many leaves are paler and the

colour of ashes everywhere. The flower is purple; thejuice sharp — quickening the sight, inducing tears —from which it received this name. Smeared on with gum,it is able to stop hairs pulled from off the eyebrows fromgrowing again. The herb (eaten) expels bilious urine. It isalso called corydalion, coryon, corydalion sylvestre, capnosthat is among barley, capnites, marmarites, capnogorion,chelidonion parvum, peristerion, cantharis, or caliocri; theRomans call it apium, some, fumaria, the Egyptians, cynx,and some, tucis.

4-111. LOTOS EMEROS

SUGGESTED: Lotus tetragonolobus — Garden Winged Pea Tetragonolobus palestinus — Four-winged Garden Pea

Lotus sativa grows in gardens. Juiced and mixed withhoney it dissolves argema [small white ulcer on the

cornea], nubeculae [speck or small cloud in the eye], whitespots on the cornea, and things that darken the pupils. Itis also called tripodion, or trifolium.

660


Epipactis latifolia


661


Chamaecissus


662


Hound’s-tongue — Cynoglossum officinalis


4-112. LOTOS AGRIOS

SUGGESTED: Melilotus germanica [Fuchs], Lotus corniculatus [Linnaeus], Trifolium corniculatum

— Bird's Foot Trefoil

Lotus sylvestris grows in great abundance in Libya. Ithas a stalk of two feet (or even more) with many

wings; the leaves are like the three-leaved clover thatgrows in meadows; the seed is similar to fenugreek but agreat deal smaller, medicine-like in the taste. Rubbed onwith honey it is warming and gently astringent, cleaningaway spots on the face and sunburn. Pounded into smallpieces and a decoction taken as a drink by itself (or elsewith the seed of mallows, with wine, or passum [raisinwine]) helps disorders of the bladder. It is also calledlibyon, or trifolium, and the Romans call it trifolium minus.

4-113. KUTISOS

SUGGESTED: Trifolium-pratense luteum [Fuchs, Brunfels],Medicago lupulina [Linnaeus] — Black Medick, Hop Clover,

Yellow Trefoil [Mabberley][other usage] Medicago arborea [Bedevian]

— Cytisus of Greeks, Tree Medick, Moon Trefoil Common Cytisus — Cytisus sessifolius

Cytisus is a white shrub like rhamnus which sends outbranches a foot long or more, around which are

leaves similar to fenugreek or lotus trifolia, but smaller,with a bigger backbone; if crushed with the fingerssmelling like eruca [2-170]; in taste similar to greenchickpeas. The leaves are cooling, dissolving newoedemas, pounded into small pieces and smeared onwith bread. A decoction of them (taken as a drink)induces urine. Some plant it near bee hives to attract thebees. It is also called teline, lotus grandis, or trifolium, andthe Romans call it trifolium majus.

663


Lotus corniculatus


4-114. LOTOS AIGUPTIOS

SUGGESTED: Nymphaea lotus — Egyptian Lotus, White Lotus,Sacred Lotus, Water Lily of Egypt

Lotus which grows in Egypt in the water, covering thewater, has a stalk similar to that of the bean, with a

little flower — white like the lily — which they say opensat the rising of the sun and closes when it sets, and that all the head is hidden in the water, and again at the rising ofthe sun it stands above. The head is like the larger poppy,in which is seed like millet which they pry out to put intotheir bread making. It has a root like malum cydonium[1-160] that is also eaten raw or boiled [vegetable]. Boiled,it is similar to the yolk of an egg.

4-115. MURIOPHULLON

SUGGESTED: Myriophyllum spicatum — Water Milfoil

Myriophyllum has a tender little stalk growing singlyfrom one root around which are many smooth

leaves like marathrum [3-81], from which it is named. Thestalk is somewhat hollow, with various colours (as itwere) on purpose artificially polished. It grows in marshy places. Smeared on green or dry with vinegar this keepsthe later sores of ulcers uninflamed. It is also given todrink with water and salt for falls. It is also calledmyllophullon, stratiotice, or achillea; the Romans call itmillefolium, some, supercilium veneris, and the Gauls,beliucandas.

664


665


Daphne alexandrinum


666


Antirrhinum majus


4-116. MURRIS

SUGGESTED: Scandix [Pliny], Myrrhis, Cicutaria [Fuchs], Myrrhis sylvestris seminibus laevibus [Bauhin],

Anthriscus sylvestris [in Sprague], Chaerophyllum sylvestre[Linnaeus] — Wild Chervil, Cow Parsley, Cow Weed

[other usage] Myrrhis odorata, Scandix odorata, Chaerophyllum odoratum — Myrrh, Sweet Cicely,

British Myrrh, Sweet Fern

see 2-168

Myrrhis is similar to hemlock in its stalk and leaves,but it has a long root — tender, round, sweet-

smelling and pleasant to eat. A decoction (taken as adrink with wine) helps those bitten by harvest spiders,and it purges out the menstrual flow and afterbirth.Boiled in liquid (to be sipped) it is given for pulmonaryconsumption. Some say that it is a prophylactic againstinfection (taken as a drink with wine, twice or three timesa day) in pestilential seasons. It is also called conila, ormyrrha.

4-117. MUAGROS

SUGGESTED: Myagrum sativum, Camelina sativa — Camelina, Gold Of Pleasure

Myagros is a brushy kind of herb, two feet tall, withpale leaves similar those of rubia [dyer’s madder].

The fat seed is like a neck or whorl. They use it, scorchingand bruising it, and rubbing the stems, and using theminstead of a candle. It seems that the fat from them makessleek and smooth any roughness of the body. It is alsocalled melampyrom.

667


4-118. ONAGRA

SUGGESTED: Onagra [Italian], Epilobium hirsutum — Onagrade, Great Willowherb, Apple Pie,

Codlins and Cream

see 4-3

Onagra is a good-sized shrub like a tree, with leaveslike the almond tree, but broader and like those of

the lily. The large flowers are like roses. The root is whiteand long, and dried gives off the smell of wine. It growsin hilly places. A dilution of the root taken as a drink bythe wild living creatures is able to make them tame.Smeared on, it soothes wild ulcers. It is also calledoenothera, or onuris.

4-119. KIRSION

SUGGESTED: Cirsium germanicum, Cirsion [Fuchs],Echium lanuginosum primum [Brunfels], Anchusa officinalis

[Linnaeus] — Bugloss, Common Alkanet, Common Bugloss

[other usage] Cirsium bulbosam, Cirsium tuberosum, Cnicus tuberosus — Tuberous Thistle

see 4-23 to 4-27, 4-190

Cirsium has a tender threesquare stalk two feet high.The small leaves emerge from beneath like a rose,

the corners with soft prickles at distances, and the leavessimilar to bugloss [4-128, 4-23 to 4-27] — pretty, rough,longer, somewhat white and prickly at the ends. The ballat the upper end of the stalk is rough, and on it are littleheads, purple on the top, turning into down. Acreaswrites that bound on the hurt place, it stops the pains ofenlarged veins, arteries, or lymphatic vessels. It is alsocalled great bugloss, and the Romans call it spina mollis.

668


669


Smilax aspera


670


Helleborus foetedus


4-120. ASTER ASTIKOS

SUGGESTED: Aster atticus [Fuchs], Aster atticus caeuruleus vulgaris [Bauhin],

Aster amellus [Linnaeus], Aster tripolium, Tripolium, Tripolium vulgare — Italian Starwort, Sea Aster, Sea Starwort,

Tripoly

see 4-135

Aster atticus has a woody little stem with a purpleflower on the top (or a yellowish one) cut all around

like the little head of anthemis [3-154], and it has smallleaves similar to a star. The leaves around the stalk aresomewhat long and rough. Smeared on, it helps aninflamed stomach, as well as inflammation of the eyesand the thighs, and prolapse of the perineum. Adecoction of the purple part of the flower (taken as adrink with water) helps the synanchic [abscessed throat],and epilepsy in children. It is good (applied fresh andmoist) for inflammation of the thighs.

Gathered when it is dry (with the left hand of thepained party) and hanged about the thigh, it frees him ofthe pain. It grows among rocks and in coarse places. Thestars [flowers] of this shine in the night, for those who donot know it when they see it think it is a spirit, and it isfound by the keepers of sheep. Crateuas the herbalistrelates that pounded (green) with old swines’ grease it isgood for one bitten by a mad dog, or for a swollen throat,and inhaled, it drives away snakes. It is also calledasteriscos, asterion, bubonium, or sows eye, the Romans callit inguinalis, and the Dacians, rathibis.

4-121. ISOPURON

SUGGESTED: Isopyrum fumaroides [Bedevian] — Fumitory-leaved Isopyron

Isopyrum thalictroides — Meadow Rue-leaved Isopyron

see 2-170, 2-176

Isopyron bears a tendril towards the upper leaf. On thetop of the stalk are thin little heads full of small seeds,

similar to melanthium [3-93] according to the taste, but theleaf tastes like anise [3-65]. A decoction of the seed of this(taken as a drink with honey and water) helps disorders

671


Isopyrum fumaroides


of the chest and coughs, and is good for bloodspitters,and liver disorders. Some call it phasiolum because it issimilar to phasiolus.

4-122. ION

SUGGESTED: [Pliny] Ion, Viola purpurea, Viola [Fuchs], Viola odorata [Linnaeus] — Violet, Sweet Violet

Viola neglecta — Neglected Violet

Ion has a leaf smaller than cissus [2-210], thinner anddarker; and little stalks in the midst (from the root) on

which is a little flower, very sweet, of a purple. It grows inshady rough places. It is cooling, so that the leaves(applied by themselves or with polenta) help a burningstomach, inflammation of the eyes, and prolapse of theperineum. A decoction of the purple part of the flower(taken as a drink with water) helps the synanchic[abscessed throat], and epilepsy of children. It is alsocalled dasypodion, priapeion, wild violet, or cybelion; theRomans call it setialis, some, muraria, or viola purpurea.

4-123. KAKALIA

SUGGESTED: Cacalia verbascifolia, Inula candida, Senecio thapsoides — Cacalia, Wild Caraway, Tassel Flower

Cacalia alpina — Alpine Cacalia

According to Sprengel, this is Bupleurum longifolum [Loudon].

Cacalia bears white leaves of a good size with a stalk inthe middle of them, straight and white, and a flower

similar to bryony; it grows on hills. The root of this(steeped in wine like tragacanth and licked or chewed byitself) cures coughs and roughness of the throat. Thegrains that come after flowering are pounded into smallpieces and smeared on with wax ointment to keep theface smooth and without wrinkles. It is also called leontice.

672


673


Helleborus niger


674


Prunus laurocerasus


4-124. BOUNION

SUGGESTED: Meum bunius — Coriander-leaved Bawd-money

Bunium sends out a quadrangular stalk of a goodlength and a finger’s thickness, and leaves similar to

smallage [celery — old use] but much thinner, closer tothose of coriander. The flower is like dill [3-67]; the seedhas a sweet scent and is smaller than that of hyoscyamus[4-69]. It is urinary and warming, draws out theafterbirth, and is properly used for the spleen, kidneysand bladder. It is used with honey and water — moist,dry, or juiced with the roots, stalks and leaves. It is alsocalled aton, actine, or anemosphoron, the Magi call itparadacry, the Egyptians, erxoe, the Romans, scopa regia,the Africans, zigar, and some, thepso.

4-125. PSEUDOBOUNION

SUGGESTED: Bunium bulbocastanum, Carum bulbocastanum, Sium bulbocastanum — Arnut, Earth Chestnut, Pig Nut,

Tuberous Caraway

see 2-136, 4-124

Pseudobunium is a small shrub, twenty centimetreslong, found in Crete, with leaves similar to bunium

[above], and a sharp taste. A decoction made with foursmall branches (taken as a drink with water) is able toheal griping, slow and painful urination, and pains of theside. Applied lukewarm (with salt and wine) it dissolvestumours [possibly goitre].

4-126. CHAMAIKISSOS

SUGGESTED: Chamaecissus [Pliny], Hedera terrestris [Fuchs], Hedera terrestris vulgaris [Bauhin],

Glechoma hederacea [Linnaeus] — Ground Ivy

Chamaecissus has many leaves like those of cissus onlylonger and thinner, with five or six small branches of

twenty centimetres, full of leaves from the ground. Theflowers are similar to leucoion, smaller, and strongly bitterto the taste. The root is thin, white and useless. It grows in

675


tilled places. A decoction of the leaves (as much as thirtygrains taken as a drink in three cupfuls of water for fortyor fifty days) is good for sciatica. A decoction (taken as adrink for six or seven days) cleans away jaundice. It is also called chamaeleuce, unfruitful ivy, the crown of the earth,or selinitis, while the Romans call it hedera pluviatica.

4-127. CHAMAIPEUKE

SUGGESTED: Chamaepeuce diacantha — Fishbone Thistle

Chamaepeuce (pounded into small pieces and taken asa drink in water) is good for disorders of the loins

[digestive or procreative]. It is a herb that is all green, with little crumpled leaves and branches, and flowers similarto roses.

4-128. BOUGLOSSON

SUGGESTED: Buglossum, Borrago [Fuchs], Buglossa Vera[Italian], Buglossum latifolium borrago [Bauhin],

Borago officinalis [Linnaeus] — Common Borage, Talewort

[other usage] Buglossum officinale, Anchusa italica, Anchusa paniculata — Italian Alkanet, Common Sea Bugloss

see 4-23 to 4-27, 4-119

Buglossum grows in plain misty places and is gatheredin the month July. They say that it is good for the

chills of acute fevers. For fevers with recurrentparoxysms every third day give the bugloss that has three stalks to drink, boiling to a third the whole herb with theroots and seed. Give that which has four stalks tosomeone who has fevers with recurrent paroxysms every fourth day, but these must be boiled with wine. They saythat it is good to use for abscesses (like verbascum [4-104]).It has leaves laying on the ground, both rougher anddarker (like the tongue of an ox) which, put into wine, isthought to be a cause of mirth. The Magi call it geniturafelis; Osthenes calls it tzanuchi, the Egyptians, antuenrinbesor, the Romans, lingua bovis, some, libanis, and theAfricans ansanaph.

676


677


Daphne mezereum


678


Cucumer sylvestris


4-129. KUNOGLOSSON

SUGGESTED: Cynoglossum officinarum [Fuchs],Lycopsis [Brunfels], Buglossum sylvestre tertium [Bauhin]

Cynoglossum officinalis — Hound’s Tongue, Gipsy Flower

Cynoglosson has leaves similar to the broad-leavedplantain, but narrower and smaller, downy, without

stalks, scattered on the ground. It grows in sandy places.The leaves (pounded into small pieces with old swinegrease) are able to heal persons or animals bitten by dogs,as well as the loss of hair [alopecia] and burns. The herb(boiled and taken as a drink with wine) soothes thebowels. It is also called phytom, caballation, splenion, orscolimos; the Romans call it lingua canis, and some, linguacanina.

4-130. PHUTEUMA

SUGGESTED: Phyteuma spicatum — Spiked Horned Rampion Phyteuma orbiculare — Round-headed Rampion

Phyteuma has leaves similar to radicula only smaller;abundant seed, bored through; and a thin little root

close to the earth which some consider good for a lovemedicine.

4-131. LEONTOPODION

SUGGESTED: Leontopodium vulgare — Common Lion’s Foot Gnaphalium leontopodium — Everlasting,

Lion’s Paw Cudweed Leontopodium alpinum — Edelweiss, Live Ever, Lion's Foot

Leontopodion is a two-finger long little herb with small,slender, strong leaves the length of three or four

fingers — rough, woolier towards the root, and whitish.On the tops of the stalks are little heads (as it were) boredthrough, which have black flowers. The seed is hardlyseen because of the down that wraps it. The rootunderneath is small. They also say that this is prescribedfor love medicines to be hanged on one, and that itdissolves small swellings. It is also called zoonychon,aetonychon, cemus, damnamene, idiophyton, phytobasila,

679


crossion, or crossophthoon. The Magi call it sanguis crocodili,some, crocomerion, the Egyptians, daphnoenes, theRomans, minercium, and some, neumatus, palladium, orflammula.

4-132. IPPOGLOSSON

SUGGESTED: Ruscus aculeatus — Butcher’s Broom

See 4-147

Hippoglosson is a little shrub similar to myrtus agrestis[myrtle] with thin leaves, and prickly filaments;

and on the top (as it were) a little tongue by the leaves.The filaments seem to be an effective amulet forheadaches. The root and juice are mixed with warmcompresses. Some call this antirrhinon, anarrhinon, orlychnis sylvestris.

4-133. ANTIRRINON(KUNOKEPHALON)

SUGGESTED: Antirrhinum asarina — Bastard Asarum Antirrhinum cymbalaria, Linaria cymbalaria, Cymbalaria muralis

— Cymbalaria, Kenilworth Ivy, Ivy-leaved Toadflax

Antirrhinum orontium — Lesser Snapdragon, Calf’s Snout

see 4-143

Antirrhinon is a herb similar to anagallis [2-209] in theleaves and stalk, but the flowers are purple, similar

to leucoion [3-138] only smaller, so it was also calledsylvestris lychnis. It bears a fruit like the nostrils of a calf,carnation-like in appearance. It is said that (used as apersonal ornament) this opposes poisons, and thatrubbed on with lily oil or cyprine [nutsedge], it makes onebeautiful. It is also called anarrhinon, and some havecalled it lychnis agrestis.

680


681


Balanites aegyptica


682


Staphisagria


4-134. KATANANKE

SUGGESTED: Catananche graeca, Hymenoema graecum,Hymenoema tournefortii — Candy Lionsfoot

Catananche caerulea — Cupid’s Dart, Blue Cupidone, Blue Succory

Catanance has one sort with long leaves like those ofcoronopis, a thin root, and six or seven rush-like

heads in which is seed similar to ervum [2-129, 2-131].Withered, it bends down to the ground and is similar tothe claws of a dead kite [bird]. The other is the size of alittle apple; the root is small, about the size of an olive,and the leaves similar in shape and colour to the olive,but soft, scattered on the earth, and jagged. The smallseed (like cicer [2-126]) is found on the little stems, boredthrough in many parts, a Phoenician colour [red]. Somereport that both kinds are good for liquid love medicines,and they say that the Thessalian women use them. It isalso called damnamene, dionysias, thyrsion, demos, cemos, orcrotion; the Magi call it archaras, some, arcopus, theRomans, herba filicula, some, datisca, or Iovis madius, andthe Dacians, caropithla.

4-135. TRIPOLION

SUGGESTED: Tripolium vulgare, Aster tripolium, Aster atticus — Tripoly, Sea Aster, Sea Starwort

see 4-120

Tripolium grows in places near the sea where the seaoverflows and departs, neither is it in the dry, nor in

the sea. It has leaves similar to woad yet thicker, and astalk twenty centimetres long, jagged towards the top. Itis said that the flower of this changes its colour threetimes a day — in the morning it is white, around noon,purple, and in the evening, Phoenician [red]. The root iswhite, sweet smelling, and hot to the taste. Twoteaspoonfuls of a decoction (taken as a drink in wine)expel water and urine through the bowels. It is cut forantidotes against poisons. It is also called psyche, meris,potamogeton, or stachyites, and the Romans call it calamaris.

683


4-136. ADIANTON

SUGGESTED: Adiantum foliis coriandri [Bauhin],Adiantum capillus veneris [Fuchs, Linnaeus],

Herba capillorum-veneris — Maidenhair, Venus’s Hair,Capillaire

Adiantum has little leaves similar to coriander, jaggedon the top; and the little stalks on which they grow

are black, very thin, twenty centimetres long, andglistening. The leaves are like filix [fern], very small. Itbears no [other] stalk, flower, or seed. The root is useless.A decoction of the herb (taken as a drink) is able to helpasthma, difficulty in breathing, jaundice, the splenical,and frequent painful urination. Taken as a drink withwine, it breaks stones [urinary, kidney], stops dischargesof the intestines, and helps those bitten by venomouscreatures, and excessive discharges of the stomach. Itdraws out the menstrual flow and afterbirth. It stops thespitting-up of blood. It is smeared on (raw) for venomousbeast bites, thickens the loss of hair [alopecia] anddisperses tumours [possibly goitre]. With lye it wipes offdandruff and scaly eruptions of the scalp. With ladanum[1-128] and oil myrsinum [1-48] and inhalants (or elseoesypum [lanolin] and wine) it prevents falling hair. Adecoction of it (rubbed on with lye and wine) does thesame. It makes cocks and quails more vicious, mixed withtheir meat. It is planted for sheep around sheepenclosures [feed]. It grows in shady marshy places, andaround moist walls and fountains. It is also calledpolytrichon, callitrichon, trichomanes, ebenotrichon, argion, orcoriandrum aquaticum; the Egyptians call it epiert, theRomans, cincinnalis, some, terrae capillus, or superciliumterrae, and the Dacians, phithophthethela.

4-I37. TRICHOMANES

SUGGESTED: Trichomanes, Polytrichon officinarum, Asplenium viride [Fuchs], Asplenium trichomanes,

Adiantum trichomanes — Common Spleenwort, Bristle Fern

Trichomanes grows about the same places, being likefern, very small, with slender leaves in order on

either side, or like lenticula [2-129], one against the other,

684


685


Hippophae rhamnoides


686


Carduus mariae

from FUCHS — 1545

upon thin little stems, glittering, with a bad taste, andsomewhat black. It is thought it can do the same things tothat mentioned before. Some also call this adiantum,some, pterion, some, opteron, the Romans, capillaris, some,pinula, some filicula.

4-I38. XANTHION

SUGGESTED: Xanthium, Lappa minor [Fuchs, Bauhin], Xanthium strumarium [Linnaeus] — Cocklebur [Mabberley]

Xanthium grows in fertile places and marshes that aredried up; it has a cornered stalk a cubit long, clean,

and many stings upon it. It has leaves like atriplex [2-145],having incuts, close in scent to nasturtium, but a roundfruit as a great olive, prickly, like the balls of the plane tree taking hold of clothes after you touch it. The fruit,gathered before it is perfectly dry, beaten, and preservedin a clay jar, is able to make hair yellow. To use it take aquantity of half a sextary of it, diluting it with lukewarmwater, and having first rubbed the head with nitre, smearit on. And some also beat it with wine to preserve it. Thefruit is expediently laid on oedema. Some call itphasganon, some, antithesion, some, cbascanon, some,choeradolethron, and some also call this aparine.

4-139. AIGILOPS

SUGGESTED: Aegilops ovata — Goat Grass, Hard GrassPhleum aegylops, Triticum ovatum — Hard Grass, Goat Grass,

Oat Grass Aegilops caudata [Loudon]— Cretan Hard Grass

Aegilops is a little herb with leaves similar to wheat,but often with two or three red seeds on the top of

the head on which beards (or as it were, filaments) growout. The herb (applied with meal) heals aegilopses [ulceror fistula in the inner angle of the eye] and dissolves hardlumps. The juice is stored for the same purposes, mixedwith meal, and dried. It is also called sitospelos, siphon, orbromos, and the Romans call it avena.

687


Triticum ovatum


4-140. BROMOS

SUGGESTED: Bromus temulentus, Lolium temulentum, Crepolea temulentum — Darnel, Cheat, Ryegrass, Ivray

NARCOTIC [Loudon]

[other usage] Bromus arvensis — Corn Brome Grass

see 2-116

Bromus is a drying herb similar to aegilops. Strain theboiled herb with its roots in water until the decoction

is reduced two thirds, mix with it the same amount ofhoney, and boil it until it is the thickness of moist honey.This is good for ozaena [ulcerative disease with muco-purulent discharge of the nose] if you apply it to thenostril with a wet a linen cloth, and applied alone it doesthe same. Some beat aloes finely, mix it with bromus, anduse it. It is also good (boiled with dry roses in wine) forstinking breath. It is also called siphonion, or acrospelos,and the Romans call it avena.

4-141. GLAUX

SUGGESTED: Glaux maritima — Sea Milkwort, Black Saltwort

Glaux is similar in its leaves to cytisus [4-113] or lentils.Those from beneath are paler, and those from above

green, and it sends out five or six thin shoots from theearth, twenty centimetres long, from the root. Theflowers are similar to leucoioi [3-138] but smaller, of apurple colour. It grows by the sea. These (boiled withbarley meal, salt, and oil) are sipped to restore milk thathas stopped flowing [breastfeeding].

4-142. POLUGALON

SUGGESTED: Polygala vulgaris — Common Milkwort,Milkweed

Polygalon is a little shrub twenty centimetres long, with leaves similar to lentils, harsh to the taste. A

decoction (taken as a drink) is thought to cause more milk [breastfeeding].

688


Polygala oppositifolia


689


Narcissus pseudonarcissus


690


Croton tiglium


4-143. OSUROS

SUGGESTED: Osyris, Linaria [Fuchs], Linaria vulgaris lutea flore majore [Bauhin], Antirrhinum linaria[Linnaeus], Linaria vulgaris [in Sprague], Antirrhinum majus,

Orontium majus — Great Snapdragon, Dragon’s Mouth,Dog’s Mouth

[other usage] Osyris alba — Poet's Cassia, Gardrobe

see 4-133

Osyris is a little black shrub, with thin hard-to-breakstems, and around each, three small leaves; there

are also four or five or six of these, like hemp; they areblack when they are beginning but later they becomereddish. A decoction of this (taken as a drink) helpsjaundice.

4-144. SMILAX TRACHEIA

SUGGESTED: Smilax-aspera [Fuchs, Linnaeus]— Prickly Ivy, Rough Bindweed

Smilax trachea has leaves similar to periclymen [4-14],with many sprigs, thin and prickly like paliurus or

rubus, and it is wrapped around trees creeping (as it were) above and beneath. It bears a clustered fruit like a grapebunch, which ripens red, somewhat gently biting to thetaste; the root is hard and thick. It grows in marshy roughplaces. A decoction of the leaves and fruit is an antidotefor deadly poisons, taken as a drink beforehand (orafterwards). It is said that this herb, beaten and given todrink to a newborn small child, prevents hurt by anypoisonous medicine. It is cut for antidotes against poison.

4-145. SMILAX LEIA

SUGGESTED: Smilax-levis, Volubilis maior [Fuchs], Convolvulus major albus [Bauhin], Convolvulus sepium

[Linnaeus], Calystegia sepium [Brunfels] — Bindweed

Smilax laea has leaves similar to cissus but softer,smoother and thinner. It has vinelike branches like

the last one, without prickles, and it is wrapped around


691

trees like the former. It has small black seed like lupin[2-132], but always with many small, round, whiteflowers above, on every smilax. Arbors are made from it in the summer, but it sheds its leaves in the fall. Thirtygrains of the seed of this (taken as a drink with the sameamount of dorycnium [4-75]) is said to cause manytroublesome dreams.

4-146. MURSINE AGRIA


[other usage] Myrsine africana — African Myrsine

Myrsine has a leaf similar to myrtle but broader,sharp at the top like a spear. The fruit is round and

borne in the centre of the leaves [[flattened stems], redwhen ripe, with the inside bony. The little branches arewillow-like, many emerging out of the same root, andhard to break, the length of a forearm, and full of leaves.The root is like that of grass, harsh to the taste, somewhatbitter. It grows in rough steep places. The leaves andberries (taken as a drink in wine) are able to induce urine,expel the menstrual flow, and break stones in thebladder. It cures jaundice, slow painful urination, andheadaches. A decoction of the root (taken as a drink withwine) does the same. The newly-grown stalks (used asvegetables) are eaten instead of asparagus, but they arebitter and diuretic. It is also called sacra myrtus, spinosamyrtus, murina spina, agonon, scincos, minthe, catangelos,anangelos, acairon, ocneron, cine, lichene, chamaepitys, orchamaemyrsine; the Boeotians call it gurenia, the Magi,genitura Herculis, and the Romans, ruscus.

692


693


Tithymalus cyparissias


694


Tithymalus helioscopium


4-147. DAPHNE ALEXANDRINA

SUGGESTED: Laurus-Alexandrina [Fuchs], Daphne-Alexandrina[Brunfels], Ruscus hypoglossum [Linnaeus],

Ruscus hippoglossum, Uvularia, Baslingua — Laurel of Caesar[Mabberley], Horse Tongue, Double Tongue

See 4-132

[other usage] Alexandrian Laurel — Danaë laurus,Danaidea racemosa, Ruscus racemosus

Laurus Alexandrina has leaves similar to myrsine agriabut larger, softer and paler, with a red fruit in the

centre of them the size of a cicer [2-126]. The branches lieon the earth, twenty centimetres long (or sometimesmore). The root is similar to myrsine agria but larger, witha sweet scent, and softer. It grows in hilly places. Sixteaspoons of the root (taken as a drink with sweet wine) is able to help women in difficult labour [childbirth], andthose with slow painful urination, and it extracts blood. Itis also called idaea, danae, hypoglotton, zalaea, stephane,daphnos, samothracica, methrion, or hypoglossion.

4-148. DAPHNOIDES

SUGGESTED: Mezereon [Pliny], Thymelaea [Medieval],Daphnoides, Laureola [Fuchs], Clematis aegyptica, Daphne laureola, Daphne mezereum [Linnaeus],

Thymelaea praecox, Thymelaea mezereum, Mezereum officinale — Spurge, Laurel, Dwarf Bay, Mezereon, Spurge Olive,

Dwarf Laurel

Daphnoeides is similar to alypon [4-180] with a flowerlike nymphaea [3-148], and in the midst of this,

something like a cone, in which is the seed. It is a littleshrub, a foot high, with many branches (flexible like athong), bearing leaves from the middle to the top. Thebark around the stems is very gluey; the leaves are similar to the bay, but softer, more slender, and not easilybroken, biting and burning the mouth and the jaws. Theflowers are white and the fruit black when it is grownripe; the root is useless. It grows in mountainous places.The leaves (taken in a drink either dried or fresh) expelphlegm through the bowels. It encourages vomiting andthe menstrual flow. Chewed, it draws mucus from the

695


Ruscus racemosus


Daphne mezereum


head, and it also encourages sneezing, and a decoction ofas much as eleven grains of the fruit (taken as a drink)purges. It is also called daphnitis, or hydragogon; theRomans call it laureola, some, lactago, and the Gauls,ousubim.

4-149. CHAMAIDAPHNE

SUGGESTED: Prunus laurocerasus [Pliny], Cerasus laurocerasus,Padus laurocerasus, Laurocerasus officinalis

— Dwarf Laurel, Cherry Laurel

Chamaedaphne sends out single-branched rods a footlong — straight, thin and smooth; the leaves of this

are similar to the [other] bay but much smoother, thinnerand greener. The fruit is round and red, growing near tothe leaves. The leaves of this (pounded into small piecesand smeared on) helps headaches and burning of thestomach. They cease griping, taken as a drink with wine.The juice (given to drink with wine) expels the menstrualflow and urine, and applied in a pessary it does the same.Some have called this alexandrina, daphnitis, orhydragogon, the Romans, laureola, some lactago, and theGauls, ousubim.

4-150. ELLEBOROS

SUGGESTED: Elleborus-albus, Elleborus candidus [Fuchs], Veratrum album [Fuchs, Linnaeus], Helleborus albus

— Hellebore, White Hellebore, Lungwort

POISONOUS

Elleborus albus has leaves similar to those of plantain orof the wild beet but shorter, darker, and red in

colour. The stalk is a hand’s width, hollow. It is peeledwhen it begins to dry. The many thin roots areunderneath, coming out together from a small,somewhat long little head like an onion. It grows inrough hilly places. You must gather the roots at harvesttime. The best is that which is mildly extended, white,easily broken and fleshy, not peaked, and like a rush (orgiving off down) when broken; but with the pith thin,not burning the taste too much, nor drawing out spittle

696


697


Tithymalus platyphyllos


698


Lathyris


too fast, for this sort is choking. The best is the Cyrenianand the Galatian. The Cappadocian is paler, downy andmore choking.

It purges by causing vomiting, expelling matter ofvarious colours. It is mixed with eye salves that are able to take away things that darken the pupils. It expels themenstrual flow, is applied as an abortifacient, andencourages sneezing. Kneaded with honey and polentaand boiled to gether with pieces of meat, it kills mice anddecomposes them. It is given to those fasting either byitself, or with sesame and barley water, alica [2-114],honey water, porridge, lens [lentils], or some othersipping liquid. It is also made into bread and baked likewheat. The method of treatment and the dieting is fullyexplained by those who by declaration have writtenabout the dosages of it. We most agree with Phlomidesthe Sicilian from Enna. For it is tedious in discussingmedicinal matters, professedly to set down thetherapeutical institution.

Some give it with a lot of sipping stuff or a greatquantity of juice, or else, giving beforehand some smallnourishment, they straight away give the hellebore toone in whom (especially) choking is suspected, or whohas weakness of the body. The purging is without danger to those who take it like this, because the medicine is notunseasonably applied to their bodies. Suppositories of it(put up into the perineum with vinegar) encouragevomiting.

It is also called ascis, atomon, or pignatoxaris; the Magicall it genitura Herculis, some, polyides, or anaphytos; theEgyptians call it somphia, some, unre, the Romans,veratrum album, the Gauls, laginum, and some, anepsa.

699


4-151. ELLEBOROS MELAS

SUGGESTED: Elleborum nigrum [Fuchs], Helleborus viridis[Linnaeus], Helleborus officinalis, Helleborus niger,

Veratrum nigrum — Black Hellebore, Christmas Rose Elleborus niger adulterinus sylvestris [Fuchs],

Helleborus foetidus [Linnaeus] — Stinkwort [Mabberley]

[other usage] Astrantia major — Black Hellebore, Masterwort,Larger Astrantia

ALL POISONOUS

Helleborus niger is called melampodium since it isthought that one Melampus, a goatherd, purged

and cured the mad daughters of Proteus with it. It hasgreen leaves similar to the plane tree, but smaller, closerto those of spondylium, more jagged, darker, andsomewhat rough. The stalk is rough, and the flowerswhite, inclining to purple, and in clusters. In it is seedsimilar to cnicus [4-119, 4-190] that those who live inAnticyra call sesamoeides [4-152] and use for purges. Theroots underneath are thin and black, hanging (as it were)on an onion-like little head, which also has use. It growsin rough high dry places. The best is taken out ofcountries such as Anticyra, for the blackest and bestgrows there. Choose that which is fleshy and wellnourished with only thin pith, sharp and burning to thetaste, such as that in Helicon and Parnassus, and thatgrowing in Aetolia. That from Helicon is the best.

It purges the intestines from above, driving outphlegm and bile, given alone (or with scammony and ateaspoonful or thirty grains of salt). It is also boiled withlens [lentils] and broths that are taken for purging. It isgood for epilepsy, depression, delirium, arthritis andparalysis. Given in a pessary it expels the menstrual flow,is an abortifacient, and cleans fistulas [ulcers] (put intothem and taken away after the third day). Similarly, it isput into the ears for those who are hard of hearing,leaving it alone for two or three days. Rubbed on withfrankincense, or wax, pitch, and oil cedrinum [cedar], italso heals parasitic skin diseases. Applied with vinegar itheals vitiligo [type of leprosy], impetigo, and leprosy.Boiled with vinegar and used as a mouthwash, it soothestoothache. It is also put into corrosive medicines. With

700


701


Peplos


702


Convolvulus scammonia


barley meal and wine it is a good poultice for dropsy.Planted near the roots of vines it makes the wine madefrom them purgative.

They sprinkle it around houses thinking it preservesthem from evil spirits. When they dig it they standpraying to Apollo and Aesculapius, observing the eagle’sflight, for they say he flies that way not without danger to them. For the bird causes death if one is seen digginghellebore; and one must dig it with swiftness becauseinhaling it causes a headache. To prevent this, those whodig it eat garlic and drink wine, so they are made lessliable to be hurt. It is pithy, as is the white hellebore.

It is also called melampodium, ectomon, polyrrhizon,protion, melanorrhizon, or cyrranion; the Magi call itzomarition, the Egyptians, isea, some, elaphine, or cemeleg,the Romans, veratrum nigrum, some, saraca, and theDacians, prodiorna.

4-152. SESAMOEIDES

SUGGESTED: Sesamum triphyllum — Wild Sesame Hyptis spicigera — Black Sesame

ALSO: Sesamum indicum, Sesamum orientale

sesamoides means ‘like sesame’

The great sesamoides is a herb similar to senecio[ragwort] or to rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98] — the flower

white, the root slender and useless, the seed similar tothat of sesama [2-121], bitter to the taste — which purgesboth phlegm and bile upward. It is pounded into smallpieces and taken with fifteen grains of white helleborewith honey and water. It is also called sesamites, orsesamis, lupina scutica, white hellebore, or anticyricon. InAnticyra they call it hellebore because it is mixed in thepurges with white hellebore.

4-153. SESAMOEIDES MIKRON

SUGGESTED: Sesamum triphyllum — Wild Sesame Hyptis spicigera — Black Sesame

The small sesamoides has small stalks twentycentimetres long, with leaves similar to coronopis, yet

rougher and smaller. On top of the little stalks are small 703


heads, with somewhat purple little flowers, the middle of which is white, in which is seed similar to sesama [2-121],bitter and yellowish. The root is thin. Half an acetabulum[vinegar cruet] of a decoction of the seed (taken as a drink with honey water) purges bile and phlegm downwards.Applied with water it dissolves small swellings andoedema. It grows in rough places. It is also called coronion, or sylvestre sesamon.

4-154. SIKUS AGRIOS

SUGGESTED: Sicyos agrios [Apuleius], Cucumis sylvestris,Cucumer asininus [Fuchs], Ecballium elaterium,

Ecballium agreste, Momordica elaterium [Linnaeus], Elaterium officinale [in Sprague] — Wild Cucumber,

Squirting Cucumber

POISONOUS

Sucus agria differs from the cultivated sucus in the fruit,having them much smaller, similar to somewhat long

little suppositories. The leaves and shoots are similar tothe cultivated. The root is white. It grows in the rubbish of houses and in sandy places. The shrub is bitter.

The juice of the leaves dropped in the ears is good forearache, and the root (smeared on with polenta)dissolves all old oedemas. Applied with resin terminthos[1-91] it breaks small swellings. Boiled with vinegar (andsmeared on) it dissolves gout, and is a suppository forsciatica, and a decoction is a mouthrinse for toothache.Pounded into small pieces (when it has dried) it cleansesvitiligines [form of leprosy], leprosy, and impetigo [skininfection], and purifies black scars and spots on the face.Fifteen grains (at the least) of the juice of the root (and asmuch as the fourth part of an acetabulum [vinegar cruet]of the bark) also purge phlegm and bile (especially indropsy) but without hurting the stomach. One must takea half a pound of the root, beat it finely with two pints ofwine (especially Libyan wine) and give a quarter pint(every third day) until the swelling is sufficientlyreduced. It is also called elaterium, grynon, balis, syncrisis,bubalion, scopion, imbriferum, peucedanon, or notion; theRomans call it agtetum, some, agrestis, and the Africans,cusimezar.

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Sambucus ebulus


706


Colocynthis


4-155. ELATERION

SUGGESTED: Sicyos agrios [Apuleius], Cucumis sylvestris,Cucumer asininus [Fuchs], Ecballium elaterium,

Ecballium agreste, Momordica elaterium [Linnaeus], Elaterium officinale [in Sprague] — Wild Cucumber,

Squirting Cucumber

POISONOUS

Elaterium is made (as follows) from the fruit of thecucumber. Choose cucumbers that spring back when

touched, lay them aside, leaving them for a night. Thenthe next day set a loosely woven sarce [strainer] over a jar,and with a little knife held in place with the edgeupward, take the cucumbers one by one with both hands, cut them, and strain out the liquid through the sarce[strainer] into the little jar that stands underneath, alsostraining out the purple stuff which adheres to the sarce[strainer] so that it may also pass through. Put that whichhas been strained into a basin standing by, then laytogether the cut stuff on the cloth, moisten it with freshwater, strain it, and throw the remainder away. Havingstirred the liquid around in the basin, cover it with a linen cloth, set it in the sun, and after a while pour away all thewater that swims on top (with any coalesced matter). Dothis often, as long as any water remains standing on top,which you clear out by drops. Placing the sediment into amortar, pound it and make it into tablets. So that theliquid may be quickly dried up, some sprinkle siftedashes on the ground, and hollowing their midst, spreadover it a doubled linen cloth, pour in the elaterium, andwhen it has dried, they beat it in a mortar (as previouslymentioned). Some (instead of fresh water) wash it bypouring on seawater. Some (in the last washing) pour onhoney and water. The best elaterium has a rather moistwhiteness, is light, smooth, extremely bitter to the taste,and applied to a candle is soon kindled. But that whichresembles leeks and is coarse and foul to the sight, full ofervum [2-129, 2-131] and ashes, is heavy and useless.Some also mix starch with the juice of cucumber to makeit white and light.

That which is two years old is good for purging (untilit is ten). The perfect dose is ten grains, the least fivegrains, and for children, two aureola (?). If more is taken

707


(as a drink) it is dangerous. It induces purging bothdownward and upward, expelling phlegm and bile. Thispurging is best for difficult breathers. If you want topurge the intestines downward mix it with twice as much salt, and stibium [trisulphide of antimony or blackantimony] as much as to colour it, give pills as big aservum [seed] formed with water, and let him sip themwith one winecupful of lukewarm water. For vomiting,dilute the elaterium in water and rub under the tonguewith a feather, as far in as possible. If he finds it difficult to vomit, dilute it either in oil or ointment irinum [1-66], butforbid him to sleep. To those who are excessively purgedyou must frequently give oiled wine, for this way thevomiters are restored. If the vomiting does not cease coldwater must be given with polenta, posca [hot drinks], andan apple, and other things to thicken the stomach.Elaterium (used in a pessary) induces the menstrual flow,and is an abortifacient. Poured with milk into the nostrilsit cleans away jaundice, and drives away long-lastingheadaches. It is an effective ointment (with old oil, honey, or a bull’s gall) for a synanchic [abscessed] throat. Ateaspoon of the root of cultivated cucumber (poundedinto small pieces and taken as a drink with honey water)induces vomiting, but if anyone wants to vomit gentlyafter supper, twenty grains are sufficient.

4-156. STAPHISAGRIA

SUGGESTED: Staphisagria, Staphis agria [Fuchs, Bauhin] Delphinium staphisagria [Linnaeus], Pedicularis palustris

— Stavesacre, Lousewort

POISONOUS

Staphis agria has leaves like the wild vine — jagged,straight, soft and black, with little stalks; and it bears a

flower similar to glastum [2-215, 2-216]. The seed is in littlepods, green, like cicer [2-126], triangular, coarse, a tawnyyellow and black. That within is white and sharp to thetaste. If you give ten or fifteen grains of this (pounded inhoney and water) it purges thick stuff by vomiting, but let them walk about who have taken a drink of it. You mustbe careful when giving it in honey water because of thedanger of suffocation and burning the jaws. It is goodbruised and rubbed on with oil for pthiriases [psoriasis],

708


709


Apios


710


Dodder — Cuscuta epithymum


itches, and parasitical skin diseases. Chewed, it brings upa lot of phlegm, and boiled with vinegar for a mouthwash it helps toothache. This also represses rheumatic gums.With honey it heals apthas [small ulcers] in the mouth,and it is mixed with warm compresses for burns. It is alsocalled trifolium, stesium, astaphis, phthiroctonon, phthirion,apanthropon, polyides, pseudopathes, or arsenote; theEgyptians call it ibesaoide, and the Romans, herbapedicularis.

4-157. THAPSIA

SUGGESTED: Thapsia garganica — Thapsia, Drias Plant, Smooth Thapsia

Thapsia villosa, Thapsia foetida, Thapsia asclepium — Deadly Carrot species

Thapsia is named because it is thought that it was firstfound in Thapsus, an island of the same name. The

whole nature of it is similar to ferula [3-95]. The stalk ismore slender, the leaves similar to marathrum [3-81], andon the top at every emergence are tufts similar to dill[3-67] on which are yellowish flowers. The seed issomewhat broad, similar to that of ferula, yet smaller. Thelarge root is white within and black outside, thicklybarked, and sharp. This has its liquid taken by being dugaround and having the bark cut in. Or else the root itselfis made hollow like a house roof, broad beneath andnarrow at last, and then sealed so that the liquid mayremain pure. Then the next day after you must go thereand take away the liquid that has gathered together. It isjuiced — the root is pounded and strained through awicker colander and a press — and the juice dried in thesun in a thick ceramic jar. Some bruise with it its leavesbut this sort is weak. The juice of the root is discerned byits stronger scent and by remaining moist, but that of theleaves is dry and wormeaten.

It is necessary for one who takes the liquid not tostand against the wind but rather to do it in still weather,for it puffs up the face excessively, and the naked partsare blistered by the sharpness of the exhalation. He ought therefore first to rub his naked parts with moist,astringent, stiff ointments and then take it. The bark ofthe root, juice, and liquid are purging (a decoction is

711


taken as a drink with honey and water), for they purgebile upward and downward. Forty grains of the root isgiven with three teaspoonfuls of dill seed; and thirtygrains of the juice or ten grains of the liquid, for it isdangerous if more is given. This purging is good forasthmatic disorders, long-lasting pains of the sides, andexpectorants, but for those who find it hard to vomit it isgiven in meats and sauces. The liquid and roots,especially those of equal strength, are able to eliminatewaste, whether to draw out anything from far within, oralter the state of the pores. Thus the juice rubbed on, orthe green root rubbed on, thickens loss of hair [alopecia].The root pounded into small pieces, or the juice withfrankincense and wax (an equal measure of each) takesaway bruises and blue marks. It must be left on no longerthan two hours, and after this bathe the place with warmseawater. Smeared on with honey it takes away sunburn,and removes leprosy. The juice rubbed on with sulphurbreaks tubercula [nodules]. It is rubbed on to benefit thosewho have long-lasting disorders of the side, lungs, feet,or joints. It is also useful for replacing the foreskin onthose who lack the foreskin that was not done bycircumcision, by forming a tumour that, washed andsoftened with fat things, fills up the defect of the foreskin.

It is also called hypopion, pancranon, scammonion, orthelyteris, the Romans call it ferulago, some, ferulasylvestris, and the Africans, boide.

4-158. SPARTION

SUGGESTED: Spartus [Fuchs], Spartium junceum [Linnaeus]— Spanish Broom, Spart Grass, Spartum

Spartium is a shrub with long stems without leaves,strong, hard to break, with which they bind vines. It

bears pods like phaseoli [2-130], in which are little seedslike lentils, and the flower is yellowish like leucoion[3-138]. A decoction of fifty grains of the seed of this withits flowers (taken as a drink with honey and water)purges upward with violence like hellebore, yet withoutdanger. The seed induces purging downwards. Thestems (steeped in water then pounded and juiced) helpsciatica and abscessed throat, as much as a winecupful

712


713


Vitis alba


714


Vitis nigra


taken as a drink while fasting. Some steep it in brine orseawater as suppositories for sciatica, for it expels bloodyand strimentous stuff. It is also called lobon, or lygon.

4-159. SILUBON

SUGGESTED: Spina alba hortensis, Carduus mariae [Fuchs,Brunfels], Carduus albus maculis [Bauhin], Silybum marianum,

Carduus marianus [Linnaeus] — Milk Thistle, St Mary's Thistle

Silybum is a broad acantha with leaves like whitechamaeleon [3-10], which is eaten newly sprung-up

[vegetable] boiled with oil and salt. The juice of the root(as much as a teaspoonful taken as a drink with honeyand water) encourages vomiting.

4-160. BALANOS AUREPSIKE

SUGGESTED: Myrobalan citrina, Terminalia citrina — Hara Nut Tree

Balanites aegyptica, Xymenia aegyptica — Thorn Tree, Egyptian Balsam, Zachum Oil Tree

balanos aurepsike — acorns which are plucked

Balanum auripsike is the fruit of a tree like myrica,similar to hazelnut. That within is pressed like bitter

almonds, and it yields a liquid that they use for preciousointments instead of oil. It grows in Ethiopia, Egypt,Arabia, and in Petra, a town in Judaea. That which is new, full, white, and easily peeled is the best. This, poundedinto small pieces and a teaspoonful taken in a drink withposca [hot drinks] reduces the spleen, and it is also laid onit with lolium [2-116, 4-140] meal. It is used with honeyand water on gout. Boiled with vinegar it raises outscabies [itchy parasitical disease] and leprosy. It is usedwith saltpetre [potassium nitrate] for vitiligines [form ofleprosy] and black scars. With urine it takes awayfreckles, varicose veins, sunburn, and pustules on theface. With honey water it induces vomiting, and loosensthe intestines, but is very bad for the stomach. The oil(taken as a drink) is astringent to the bowels. The bark is

715


more astringent. The dregs that are left from that whichwas pounded and strained out are mixed with sebaceoustreatments for roughness and itchiness.

4-161. NARKISSOS

SUGGESTED: Narcissus pseudo-narcissus, Narcissus sylvestris — Wild Narcissus, Daffodil, Lent Lily, Lent Rose

Narcissus poeticus — Poet’s Narcissus, Pheasant’s Eye

Narcissus has similar leaves to the leek. They arethinner, much smaller, and narrower. It has an

empty stalk without leaves, longer than twentycentimetres; on which is a white flower, and within asaffron colour and in some, a purple colour. The root iswhite within, round, bulbus-like [2-200]; the seed is in alittle skin, black, somewhat long. The best grows in hillyplaces and has a good scent, but the rest is leekish and has an herby smell. The root of this (eaten or taken in a drink)induces vomiting. It is good also for burns, beaten smallwith honey. Laid on, it joins cut-apart sinews. Beatenfinely and laid on with honey it helps dislocations ofjoints, and long-lasting pains of the joints. With nettleseed and vinegar it cleans sunburn and vitiligo [type ofleprosy]. With ervum [2-129, 2-131] and honey it purgesthe filth of ulcers, and breaks the hard ripening of boils;and laid on with lolium meal [2-116, 4-140] and honey itdraws out splinters. Some also have called it lirium, asthey do the lily. It is also called narcissus anydros,autogenes, bulbus vomitorius, or lirion, and the Romans callit bulbus morbitarius.

4-162. IPPOPHAES

SUGGESTED: Hippophae rhamnoides — Sallow Thorn, Willow Thorn, Sea Buckthorn

Hippophaes with which they tread or beat cloth tothicken it, grows in sandy maritime places. It is a

thick spriggy shrub, placing out on all sides; with longleaves similar to those of the olive, but narrower andsofter; and between them dry filaments, whitish, knotty,distant from one another. The flowers are like clusters ofberries of cissus [2-210], like clusters of grapes lying upon

716


717


Cartamus


718


Mercurialis mas


one another, but smaller and soft, and with the whiteinclining to a Phoenician [red] colour in part. The root isthick and soft, full of liquid, bitter to the taste, and has itsliquid taken like thapsia [4-157]. The liquid is stored aloneor mixed with meal of ervum [2-129, 2-131] and dried. Itpurges bilious, watery and phlegmy matter downwards,as much as ten grains of it, unmixed. Of that mixed withthe ervum, use forty grains with honey and water. Theshrub is dried with its roots, pounded into small pieces,and given with a half-pint of honey and water. A juice ismade of the root and herb like thapsia. For purging ateaspoonful of this is given. Some call it hippophues,hippophanes, hippion, equinum, or pelecinos; the Romans call it lappago, and some, lappolamera.

4-163. IPPOPHAISTON

SUGGESTED: Tithymalus diffusis, Euphorbia spinosa [Bedevian] — Hippophaiston

Hippophaeston grows in the same places in whichhippophaes [above] grows, also a kind of fuller’s

acantha [thistle] but it lies on the ground. It has only smalllittle leaves, with empty little prickly heads. It bearsneither stalk nor flower, and a thick soft root. Juice theleaves, root and head of this, dry the juice, and give thirtygrains with honey and water to whom you will forpurging to expel water and phlegm. This purging is goodfor asthma, epilepsy, and disorders of the strength. Somealso call this hippophaes.

4-164. KROTON E KIKI

SUGGESTED: Ricinus [Fuchs], Ricinus vulgaris [Bauhin],Ricinis communis [Linnaeus] — Castor Bean Plant

[other usage]Croton tiglium, Croton acutus, Croton jamalgota,Pavana, Tiglium officinalis — Croton Oil Plant,

Purging Croton, Tiglium

Croton is named for the similarity of the seed to thekroton tick. It is a tree the height of a small fig tree,

with leaves like the plane tree, but bigger, smoother andblacker. It has trunks and boughs hollow like a reed; and

719


the seed in rough berries, which peeled are like thekroton tick. Out of these is pressed the oil called cicinum[1-38]. It is not eaten but is useful for candles and plasters.Thirty grains, cleaned, pounded into small pieces, andtaken in a drink drives out phlegm, bile, and waterthrough the bowels. They also induce vomiting, but thispurging is harsh and extremely drastic, overturning thestomach excessively. Pounded and applied it cleansvaricose veins and sunburn. The leaves (bruised withflour of polenta and applied alone or with vinegar) lessen oedema and inflammation of the eyes, reduce breastsswollen from milk, and extinguish erysipela [streptococcal skin infection]. Crotona some call sesamum sylvestre, seselicyprium, or croton; the Egyptians call it systhamna, some,trixis, the Magi, sanguis febris, the Romans, ricinus, andsome, lupa.

4-165. TITHUMALOS

SUGGESTED: Euphorbia resinifera — Euphorbium Gum Plant Euphorbia tithymaloides, Pedilanthus tithymaloides— Red Bird Cactus, Slipper Flower, Jew Bush

Tithymalus diffusis, Euphorbia spinosa — Hippophaiston Euphorbia — Devil’s Milk, Spurge

Tithymalus acutifolius, Euphorbia pithyusa, Tithymalus pithyusa — Pithyusa

Tithymalus peplis, Euphorbia peplis — Wild Purslane, Petty Spurge, Purple Spurge

Tithumalos — milky white juice

There are seven kinds of tithymal: the male is calledcharacias, comatus, or amygdaloides, or else it is called

gobius. Another is called female, myrtites, caryites, ormyrsinites; the third, paralius, or tithymalis; the fourth,helioscopius; the fifth, cyparissias; the sixth, dendroides; andthe seventh, platyphyllos.

4-165a. TITHUMALOS CHARACHIAS

SUGGESTED: Euphorbia characias [Loudon]

Characias has red stalks over a foot high full of sharpwhite juice. The leaves about the stems are like the

olive tree only longer and narrower. The root is thick and

720


woody. On the top of the stalks are prickles of rushlikelittle rods; and under them hollow cases like basins orlittle hives in which is the seed. It grows in rough hillyplaces. Twenty grains of the juice (taken with posca [hotdrinks]) purges the bowels below, expelling phlegm andbile. With honey and water it induces vomiting. It isjuiced about the time of vintage, the stems laid togetherand cut. They must be shut up in a jar. Some mix it withmeal of ervum [2-129, 2-131] to form pills the size of ervum[seed]. Some drop three or four drops into dried figs anddry them and store them. Pounded alone in a mortar it isformed into pills and put in jars. When juicing one mustnot stand against the wind, nor put his hands to his eyes,but also before juicing he must rub his body with greaseor oil and wine — especially the face, neck and scrotum. It irritates a sore throat, so he ought to wrap the pills in waxor boiled honey and then give it. Two or three driedimpregnated figs (taken) are sufficient to purge. Thenewly made juice (smeared on with oil in the sun) takesoff hair, and makes those which come up again yellowand thin, and in the end destroys them all. It is put intothe cavities of teeth, lessening the pain. You must coverthe teeth with wax so that running beside it does not hurtthe sore throat or the tongue. Smeared on, it takes awayprotruding and hanging warts, warty abnormal growths, and lichen [papular skin disease]. It is good for pterygium[membrane on eye], and carbuncles [infected boils][malignant skin tumours], rapidly spreading ulcers,gangrene, and fistulas [ulcers]. The seed is gathered inthe autumn, dried in the sun, pounded gently, the chaffremoved, and stored clean; and the leaves are dried thesame way. Half an acetabulum [vinegar cruet] of both theseed and the leaves (given to drink) does the same thingsas the juice. Some pickle them, mixing lepidium [2-205]and bruised cheese with the milky juice. One teaspoonful of the root (sprinkled upon with honey water and takenas a drink) purges through the belly. [The same] boiledwith vinegar and the teeth washed with it helpstoothache.

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4-165b. TITHUMALOS MURSINITES

SUGGESTED: Euphorbia myrsinites [Loudon]

Myrsinites — a precious stone that smells like Myrrh [Pliny] — also Myrtle wine

The female (which some have called myrsinites orcaryites) is similar to daphnoeides, and has leaves like

myrsine (1-155, 4-146) but bigger and strong, sharp andprickly on the top. It sends out shoots twenty centimeters long from the root, and every second year it bears a fruitlike a nut, gently biting to the tongue. This grows inrough places. The juice, root, seed and leaves have similar uses to that above, yet that is stronger for a vomit.

4-165c. TITHUMALOS KUPARISSIOS

SUGGESTED: Tithymalus cyparissias [Fuchs, Bauhin],Euphorbia cyparissias [Loudon] — Cypress Spurge

[Mabberley]

Cyparissias sends out a somewhat red stalk twentycentimeters long (or rather longer) out of which

spring leaves like those of the pine, yet more tender andthinner. It is wholly like a pine newly come up, fromwhich it is named. This is also filled with white juice. Ithas the same properties as those above.

4-165d. TITHUMALOS ELIOSKOPIOS

SUGGESTED: Tithymalus helioscopius [Fuchs, Bauhin], Euphorbia helioscopia [Linnaeus] — Wartwort, Wartgrass,

Sun Spurge, Cat's Milk

Helioscopius has leaves like portulaca [4-168] butthinner and rounder, and it sends out four or five

branches from the root, twenty centimeters long, thinand red, full of quantities of white juice. The head isdill-like [3-67], and the seed (as it were) in little heads, thefilaments of which are carried around by the course of the sun, from which it is called helioscopius. It grows in ruinedplaces and around towns. The juice and seed aregathered like the others. They have the same propertiesas those above but are not as forcible.

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4-165e. TITHUMALOS PARALIOS

SUGGESTED: Euphorbia paralias — Sea Spurge

Tithymalus paralios grows in maritime places. It has five or six upright branches twenty centimetres long,

somewhat red, emerging from the root. Around these are small leaves, somewhat slender, quite long, like flax; andon the top of each branch is a round head in which is seed like ervum [2-129, 2-131], variegated with white flowers.The whole shrub and root are full of white juice and theuse and storage of this is like those above. Some havecalled it tithymalis, or mecona.

4-165f. TITHUMALOS DENDRITES

SUGGESTED: Euphorbia dendroides — Tree-like Spurge

Dendroides grows on rocks, abundantly leafy towardsthe top, and full of filaments and juice, with reddish

branches, around which are thin leaves like myrtle [1-155, 4-146]. The seed is like that of caracia [? Phaseolus caracalia]and this is also stored in the same way and works like that mentioned above.

4-165g. TITHUMALOS PLATUPHULLOS

SUGGESTED: Tithymalus platyphyllos [Fuchs], Euphorbia platyphyllos [Linnaeus] — Annual Warty Spurge

Platyphyllos is like verbascum [4-104]. The roots andleaves purge watery matter through the bowels.

Pounded and diluted with water it kills fish and thosementioned above do the same.

4-166. PITUOUSA

SUGGESTED: Tithymalus acutifolius, Euphorbia pithyusa,Tithymalus pithyusa — Pithyusa

Pityusa sends out a stalk longer than a foot, veryknotted, surrounded with sharp thin little leaves like

those of pine flowers, small, and as it were, purple. The

723


seed is broad like lentils; the root (which they call turpeth)is white, thick, and full of juice. This shrub is foundconsiderably large in some places. Two teaspoonfuls ofthe root (given with honey water) purges downward.One teaspoonful of the seed (and as much as a spoonfulof the juice) is taken with meal in a catapotium [pill] butthree teaspoonfuls of the leaves are given.

It is also called clema, crambion, paralion, or canopicon,and seems to differ from the Cyparissian tithymal,although it is considered one of them.

4-167. LATHUROS

SUGGESTED: Lathyris [Fuchs], Lathyris major [Bauhin], Euphorbia lathyris [Linnaeus], Euphorbia lathyrus,

Euphorbia spongiosa — Wild Caper, Myrtle Spurge, Caper Spurge

Lathyris sends out an empty stalk the height of a foot,the thickness of a finger, and on the top of it are

wings. The leaves on the stalk are somewhat long likethose of the almond tree, but broader and smoother.Those on the tops of the little branches are smaller, likethose of aristolochia [3-4, 3-5, 3-6] or of cissus [2-210]. It hasseed on the tops of the branches in three heads, roundlike capparis [2-204], in which are three little seedsseparated by loose skins from one another, round, biggerthan ervum [2-129, 2-131]. Peeled, they are white andsweet to the taste. The root is thin and white, of no use.The whole shrub is full of juice like tithymal. As many asseven or eight of the seeds are able to purge the bowelstaken in a pill or eaten and swallowed down with dry figs or dates, and cold water sipped with it. It expels phlegm,bile, and water. The juice (taken like tithymal) does thesame. The leaves are boiled together with a hen orvegetables for the same effect. Some also call this tithymaland regard it among the tithymals.

724


Euphorbia lathyris


4-168. PEPLOS

SUGGESTED: Peplos, Esula rotunda [Fuchs], Euphorbia peplus[Linnaeus], Tithymalus peplis, Euphorbia peplis

— Wild Purslane, Purple Spurge, Petty Spurge

Peplos is a little shrub full of white juice, with a littleleaf like rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98], but broader. The whole

clump is about twenty centimetres round, spread on theground; and under the leaves is little seed, round, smaller than that of white poppy. The herb has much usealthough the single root (from which the whole shrubbreaks out) is of no use. It grows in gardens andvineyards. It is gathered at harvest time, dried in theshade, and turned often. The seed is pounded, madeclean, and stored. An acetabulum [vinegar cruet] of adecoction (taken as a drink with a half pint of honeywater) expels phlegm and bile. Mixed in meats it disturbsthe digestion. It is preserved in brine. It is also called syce,or papaver spumeum.

4-169. PEPLION

SUGGESTED: Peplis portula — Common Water Purslane

Peplis grows (particularly) in maritime places. It is ashrub spread around, full of white juice, with leaves

like garden portulaca [4-168] but round, with the partsbeneath a reddish colour; and round seed under theleaves like peplus [4-168], hot to the taste. The single root is thin and useless. It is gathered, stored, and given likepeplus preserved in brine, and it has the same properties.It is also called portulaca sylvestris, while Hippocrates callsit peplion.

4-170. CHAMAISUKE

SUGGESTED: Euphorbia chamaesyce, Euphorbia massilensis — Crenated Annual Spurge

see 3-96

Chamaesyce sends out branches four fingers long,lying upon the ground, round in a circle, full of juice,

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with leaves like lens [lentils], similar to peplus [above],little, thin, close to the earth. The seed is under the leaves,round, like peplus. It has neither flower nor stalk, and theroot is thin and useless. The branches (pounded intosmall pieces) with wine are able to lessen pains about thewomb. Applied as a pessary and smeared on they takeaway oedema, hanging warts, and myrmecias [wartresembling an anthill]. Eaten boiled, they loosen thebowels, and the juice does the same things. Furthermore,smeared on, it helps a scorpion strike. It is good rubbedon with honey for dullness of sight, darkening of thevision, new liquid discharges from the eyes, scars, andspecks or small clouds in the eye. It grows in dry rockyplaces. Some call it syce, or papaver spumeum.

4-171. SKAMMONIA

SUGGESTED: Convolvulus scammonia, Convolvulus syriacus — Scammony

gum resin

Scamonia sends out many branches three feet longfrom one fat root, displaying roughness; and the

leaves are also rough like helxine [4-39, 4-86] or cissus[2-210], yet softer and triangular. The flowers are white,round, hollow like baskets, with a strong scent. The rootis a good length, thick as an arm, white, with a strongscent, and full of juice. The juice is gathered as follows:the head is taken away from the root and a roof-likehollowness cut into it; the juice flows into it and is takenup in spoons. Some dig the earth in a roof-like shape,place leaves of the carya [1-178] underneath, and pour the juice on them. When it has dried to a resin they take itaway. The good resin is transparent, light, thin, and likebull glue in colour, with thin fungus-like cracks, like thatfrom Mysia in Asia. Do not only look for the whiteness ofit when touched by the tongue, for this happens also ifthe juice of tithymal [above] is mixed with it, but lookrather to the signs previously mentioned, and also that itdoes not burn the tongue too much, which happenswhen tithymal is mixed with it. Those made in Judaea and the Syrian are the worst — heavy, thick, adulterated withtithymal and ervum meal [2-129, 2-131].

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Forty grains of the juice (taken with honey and wateror a teaspoon of water) is able to purge bile and phlegmdownwards. To loosen the bowels twenty grains areenough, taken with sesama [2-121] or some other seed. For more effective purging thirty grains of the juice is givenwith twenty grains of black hellebore and oneteaspoonful of aloe. Purging salts are prepared withtwenty teaspoonfuls of the juice of scammony mixedwith six cups of salt. It is taken according to the strengthof a man. The full dose is three spoonfuls, the middle twoand the least one. One or two teaspoonfuls of the root(mixed with the things previously mentioned) are apurge. Some boil it and drink it. Boiled with vinegar andpounded into small pieces with barley meal it is a poultice for sciatica. The juice (applied to the womb in wool) is anabortifacient. Rubbed on with honey or oil it dissolvestubercula [nodules]. Boiled in vinegar and smeared on ittakes away leprosy. With vinegar and rosaceum [1-53] itmakes irrigations [by pouring or sprinkling] for along-lasting headache.

Some call this scamboniae radix, colophonia, or dactylium, the Romans call it colophonium, the Magi, apopleumonos,and the Egyptians, sanilum.

4-172. CHAMELAIA

SUGGESTED: Chamelaea [Pliny], Cneorum tricoccon — Dwarf Olive

Cneorum [Bedevian] — Spurge Olive, Widow Wail

Chamelaea has branches twenty centimetres long. Theshrub is sprigged, and it has leaves like the olive but

more slender, thick and bitter, biting to the taste, andirritating to the throat. The leaves of this purge phlegmand bile downward, especially taken in a catapotium [pill]with twice as much wormwood [3-26] mixed to one partof the chamelaea, but let it be made with water or honeyinto a catapotium. They are not soluble for they passthrough as big as they were taken. The leaves (poundedinto small pieces and taken with honey) purge foul,crusted ulcers. It is also called pyros achne, acnestos, coccoscnidios, chamelaea nigra, heraclion, or bdelura, the Romanscall it citocacium, and some, eleago, or oloastellum.

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Cneorum tricoccum

after Le MAOUT — 1888

4-173. THUMELAIA

SUGGESTED: Thymelaea hirsuta, Daphne gnidium — Gnidium, Spurge Flax, Flax-leaved Daphne

[Loudon] not the cnidium species of today

Thymelaea is similar in nature to sown flax. It sends outmany thin fair stems, almost two feet high. The

leaves are like chamelaea [above] but narrower and fatter,somewhat viscous and glutinous if chewed. The flowersare white, and in the midst is the fruit — as small as thatof myrtus [1-155], round, at first green, but afterwards red. The covering of it is hard and black, but within it is white.A decoction of the inner part (taken as a drink using asmuch as twenty of the grains) purges bile, phlegm andwater downwards. It burns a rough throat; as a result it isgiven with meal, polenta, in the kernel of a grape, orcovered with boiled honey to swallow it down.Additionally, to rub those who have difficulty sweating,it is pounded into small pieces with saltpetre [potassiumnitrate] and vinegar. The leaves — which are properlycalled cneoron — must be gathered at harvest time andput in jars after they have dried in the shade. It isnecessary to beat them and to take off the strings in them.As much as an acetabulum [vinegar cruet] applied withdiluted wine purges by drawing away watery matter. Itmakes the purging more moderate if it is mixed withboiled lens [lentils] and bruised vegetables. They arepounded into small pieces and made into little balls (withjuice from unripe grapes) to be stored. The herb isworthless for the stomach, and given as a pessary it is anabortifacient. It grows in rough hilly places. Some aredeceived thinking cnidium grain [seed] to be the fruit ofchamelaea, beguiled by the similarity of the leaves. It is also called chamelaea, pyrosachne, cestron, or cneoron. Cnidiumgrain — which is the seed — is gathered, which theEuboeans call it aetolium, the Syrians, apolinum, and some, linum.

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4-174. AKTE

SUGGESTED: Sambucus [Fuchs], Sambucus nigra [Linnaeus]— Elder Tree, Arn Tree, Boon Tree

see uses below — 4-175

Acte has two types; one is like a tree with reed-likebranches — round, hollow, whitish and a good

length. The three or four leaves are set at distancesaround the stem, like the carya [1-178], more jagged, andwith a strong smell. On the top are branches or stalks onwhich are round tufts with white flowers, and a fruit liketerminthos [1-91] of a somewhat purplish black, growingin clusters, full of juice, smacking of wine. It is also calledarbor ursi, or sativa; the Romans call it sambucus, the Gauls, scobie, and the Dacians, seba.

4-175. CHAMAIAKTE

SUGGESTED: Ebulus [Fuchs], Sambucus ebulus [Linnaeus]— Dwarf Elder, Ground Elder, Danewort

BERRIES POISONOUS

The other kind is called chamaiacte. This has a creepingrhizome and is smaller and more herb-like, with a

foursquare stalk that has many joints. The leaves arespread out at distances around every joint, like thealmond tree, cut-in all around, and longer, with a strongscent, and having a tuft on the top like that above, andwith a similar flower and fruit. The long root liesunderneath, the thickness of a finger. This has the sameproperties and uses as that above — drying, expellingwater, yet bad for the stomach. The leaves (boiled asvegetables) purge phlegm and bile, and the stalks (boiledas a vegetable) do the same. The roots (boiled with wineand given with meat) are good for dropsy. A decoction(taken as a drink) helps those bitten by vipers. Boiledwith water for bathing it softens the womb and opens thevagina, and sets to rights any disorders around it. Adecoction of the fruit (taken as a drink with wine) doesthe same things, and rubbed on it darkens the hair. Thenew tender leaves (smeared on with polenta) lesseninflammation, and smeared on, they are good for burns

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and dog bites. Smeared on with bull or goat grease theyheal hollow ulcers, and help gout. It is also calledheliosacte, sylvestris sambucus, or euboica; the Romans call itebulus, the Gauls, ducone, and the Dacians, olma.

4-176. PUKNOKOMON

SUGGESTED: Clinopodium vulgare, Melissa clinopodium — Wild Basil

see 3-50, 3-109

Pycnocomon has leaves like eruca [2-170] but rough,thick, and sharper, a four-square stalk, and a flower

like that of basil. The seed is like marrubium [3-38]; theroot black, round, pale, shaped like a little apple, smelling earthy. It grows in rocky places. As much as a teaspoon ofa decoction of the seed (taken as a drink) is able to causenightmares. Applied with polenta it dissolves oedemasand extracts thorns and splinters. The leaves are appliedto dissolve tubercles [growths] and boils or inflammatorytumours. The root loosens the intestines and voids bile.Two teaspoonfuls are given in honey and water.

4-177. APIOS

SUGGESTED: Apios [Fuchs], Lathyrus arvensis repens tuberosus[Bauhin], Lathyrus tuberosus [Linnaeus]

— Earth Chestnut [Mabberley][other usage] Euphorbia apios — Pear-rooted Spurge

Apios sends out two or three small branches from theearth — rushy, thin and red — lifting themselves a

little above the ground. The leaves are similar to rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98], green, yet somewhat longer and narrower.The seed is small; the root similar to hastula [fistula?] regiaand in the shape of a pear, but rounder and full of juice,with a black bark, and the inside white. This inner part ofthe root is taken to draw out bile and phlegm byvomiting, and the bark purges downward. Takentogether they induce purging both ways. If you areprepared to juice it, beat the roots, throw them into a jarof water, shake it together, take away the liquid standingon top with a feather, and dry it. A decoction of fifteengrains of this (taken as a drink) purges upward and

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downward. It is also called ischias, chamaebalanos, radixmontanus, radix sylvestris, or linozastis; the Romans call itradix silvestris, and the Africans, thorphassadoe.

4-178. KOLOKUNTHIS

SUGGESTED: Citrullus colocynthis, Cucumis colocynthis— Colocynth, Bitter Apple, Bitter Gourd

see 2-162

Colocynthis sends out small branches with jaggedleaves spread on the ground like those of the

cultivated cucumber, with a round fruit like a mid-sizedball, strongly bitter, which you must gather when itbegins to change into a paler colour. The pulp of the fruitis purging; forty grains is taken with honey water, or with saltpetre [potassium nitrate], or myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116],boiled with honey and made into a catapotion [pill]. Theseeds themselves (dried and pounded into small pieces)are effective mixed with enemas or suppositories forsciatica, paralysis, and colic, for driving out phlegm andbile, and for scouring out, sometimes even bloody stuff.Used as a pessary they are abortifacient. This is a mouthrinse for toothache, if you take the pith out of one, wrap it around with clay and boil it in vinegar and saltpetre[potassium nitrate], then give it to wash the mouth with.Boiled with honey water, or else passum [raisin wine],cooled, and given to drink, it purges thick fluids andscours the bowels. It is very bad for the stomach. Asuppository of it is inserted for voiding excrement. Thegreen juice of it is good, rubbed on sciatica.

It is also called colocynthis capri, cucurbita amara, orcolocynthis Alexandrina; Zoroastres calls it thymbra,Osthenes calls it autogenes, the Romans, cucurbita sylvatica, and the Dacians, tutastra.

4-179. EPITHUMON

SUGGESTED: Cuscuta epithymum, Cuscuta minor — Clover Dodder, Lesser Dodder

Epithymum has little heads, thin and light, with tailslike filaments. A decoction (taken as a drink with

honey) purges phlegm and black bile downwards. Four 731


teaspoonfuls given with with honey and salt and a littlevinegar in an acetabulum [vinegar cruet] is suitable for thedepressive and those inflated with wind. It growsabundantly in Cappadocia and Pamphyllia. It is alsocalled cedoes, and the Romans call it involucrum. It has aflower like the harder thyme and like satureia.

4-180. ALUPON

SUGGESTED: Globularia alypum — Globularia, Alypo Globe Daisy

Alypum is a somewhat red shrubby herb, with thintwigs and thin leaves; full of flowers, soft and light;

the root like beet, thin, full of sharp juice; the seed likeepithymum [above]. It grows in great abundance inmaritime places especially, in places in Libya, andabundantly in other places also. The seed (taken with anequal amount of salt, epithymum, and vinegar) purgesblack bile downward, and it exits the intestines quickly.

4-181. EMPETRON

SUGGESTED: Empetrum nigrum — Crowberry, Black-berried Heath

POISONOUS

Empetron grows in hilly maritime places, salty to thetaste, but that nearer to the earth is more bitter. Given

in broth or honey water it purges phlegm, bile, andwatery matter. It is also called phacoides.

4-182. KLEMATITIS

SUGGESTED: Clematis flammula [Mabberley] — Clematis, Sweet Virgin's Bower

Clematitis sends out somewhat reddish pliantbranches, and leaves especially sharp to the taste

and ulcerating. It winds around trees like smilax. Adecoction of the seed of this (pounded into small piecesand taken as a drink with water or honey water) drives

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Dodder — Cuscuta epithymum


phlegm and bile downwards. The leaves applied removeleprosy. It is preserved in salt with lepidium [2-205] to beeaten.

4-183. AMPELOS AGRIA

SUGGESTED: Ampelos agria, Labrusca [Pliny], Vitis labrusca— Wild Vine, Fox Grape

The wild vine sends out long sprigs like the vine,woody and rough, with the bark chapped. The

leaves are like garden strychnos, but broader and longer.The mossy flower has filaments; and the fruit is like littlegrape clusters that ripen and grow red. The shape of theseeds is round. The root of this (boiled in wine and takenas a drink with two cups of seawater) purges out waterymatter. It is also given for dropsy. The clusters [of fruit]clean away sunburn and every spot. The new shoots arepreserved in salt to eat with meat [vegetable].

4-184. AMPELOS LEUKE

SUGGESTED: Vitis-alba, Psilothrum, Bryonia [Fuchs], Brionia alba [Linnaeus], Bryonia dioica — White Bryony

Snake Bryony, White Wild Vine, Common Bryony

POISONOUS

Vitis alba has branches, leaves and tendrils like thecultivated vine, but all rougher. It is wrapped

around the shrubs standing nearby; catching hold withits tendrils; and it has a red cluster-like fruit with whichhides are made bare of hair. The young tendrils of this are eaten (boiled) at the first placing-out, to move the urineand bowels. The leaves, fruit, and root are sharp; as aresult they are effective applied with salt on those whohave had surgery, gangrene, and spreading, erosive,rotten ulcers of the legs. The root cleans the skin andsmooths it [wrinkles], and with ervum [2-129, 2-131], terrachia [earth from Chios], and fenugreek it takes offsunburn, varicose veins, freckles, and black scars. Boiledwith oil until it is dissolved it is good for the samepurposes. It takes away bruises and represses whitlowson the fingers. Pounded into small pieces and smearedon with wine it dissolves inflammation, breaks abscesses,

733


and extracts bones. It is mixed effectively with antisepticmedicines. It is taken as a drink for epilepsy — oneteaspoon every day for a year. Taken in the same way ithelps those sick of apoplexy [rush of blood and dizziness] and vertigo. Two teaspoonfuls of a decoction (taken as adrink) help those bitten by vipers, and are anabortifacient. Sometimes it troubles the understandingsomewhat. A decoction (taken as a drink) induces urine,and applied as a pessary to the womb it is anabortifacient, and extracts the afterbirth. Syrup of it withhoney is given to those suffocated, to hard breathers andcoughers, to those with pain in the side, and for herniaand convulsions. Thirty grains (as a decoction taken as adrink with vinegar for thirty days) reduces the spleen,and it is smeared on with figs for the same purposes. It isboiled for a hip bath to clean the womb, and it is anabortifacient. The root is juiced in the spring. This juice istaken as a drink with honey and water for the samepurposes, as well as to expel phlegm. The fruit is good(both rubbed on and applied) for parasitical skin diseasesand leprosy. The fruit is juiced and sipped up with boiledwheat to draw out milk [breastfeeding]. It is also calledbryony, ophiostaphylon, chelidonion, melothron, psilothron,archezostis, agrostis, or cedrostis.

4-185. AMPELOS MELAINA

SUGGESTED: Vitis-nigra [Fuchs], Clematis sylvestris latifolia[Bauhin],Clematis vitalba [Linnaeus], Viburnum gallorum,

Vitis nigra — Wild Clematis, Traveller’s Joy, Biting Clematis,Hedge Vine

POISONOUS

Vitis nigra has leaves and stalks like cissus [2-210] oreven more like those of smilax. These are bigger, and

this too takes hold of the trees with its tendrils. The fruit is clustered, green at first, but it grows black when ripe. Theroot is black outside, but within the colour of box root.The new stalks are eaten as vegetables. They are urinary,expel the menstrual flow, and reduce the spleen. Theyare good for epilepsy, vertigo and paralysis. The root hasthe same properties as the white bryony, and is suitablefor the same uses yet it is less effective. The leaves(smeared on with wine) are good for the necks of

734


labouring beasts that are ulcerated, and they are appliedsimilarly for dislocations [veterinary]. It is also calledblack bryony, the chironian vine, or bucranium; theRomans call it oblamenia, some, batanuta, or betisalca, theDacians, priadela, some, pegrina, and the Africans,lauothen.

4-186. PTERIS

SUGGESTED: Filix mas [Fuchs], Filix non ramosa dentata[Bauhin], Dryopteris filix-mas [in Sprague],

Polypodium filix-mas [Linnaeus], Aspidium filix-mas,Polystichum filix-mas, Lastrea filix-mas, Polypodium dryopteris —

Male Polypody, Male Fern, Shield Fern

see 4-189

Pteris has leaves without stalks, flowers or seed out ofone stem, the height of about a foot, cut-in and

spread out wide like a wing, with a somewhat strongsmell. It has a root that lies shallow, black, somewhatlong, with many shoots, somewhat astringent to thetaste. It grows in rocky hilly places. Four teaspoonfuls ofthe root of this is taken with honey and water to draw out broadworms. It works better if one gives it with fortygrains of scammony or black hellebore. It is necessary forthose who take it to eat garlic first. For the splenetic it isgiven to restore them to their former state. A decoction ofthe root (taken as a drink with goose grease and appliedas well) is good for those hurt with a fistula [ulcer]. Theproof is this: where there is much seed and much fernenclosing it, there the fern vanishes. It is also calledblechnon, polyrrhizon, pterion, pterineon, dasyclonon, oranasphoron; the Magi call it surculum Mercurii; theRomans, filix fanaria, some, laculla, or filix, and theEgyptians call it the blood of an ass.

735


4-187. THELUPTERIS

SUGGESTED: Thelypteris [Pliny], Felix,Felix foemina [Fuchs], Pteris aquilina [Linnaeus],

Pteridium aquilinum [in Sprague] — Buckler Fern, Brake Fern,Bracken, Eagle Fern, Female Fern

Thelypteris has leaves like those above, only not single-stemmed, but with many higher abnormal growths.

The roots are underneath — long, thwarting, numerous,yellowish-black, and some also red. These are taken withhoney as linctus [syrup] to expel broadworms. Threeteaspoons of a decoction (taken as a drink with wine)expels roundworms. Given to women they causebarrenness [birth control], and if any conceives she aborts [abortifacient]. Dried, they are applied to ulcers that aremoist and hard to cure, and they heal the necks of yokedbeasts. The newly put out leaves of it are used asvegetables, and eaten boiled they soften the bowels. It isalso called nymphaea pteris, and the Romans call it linguacervina.

4-188. POLUPODION

SUGGESTED: Polypodium [Fuchs], Polypodium vulgare [Bauhin,Linnaeus] — Common Polypody, Polypody Wall Fern,

Golden Locks [other usage] Polypodium felix-faemina,

Anthyrium felix-faemina, Aspidium felix-faemina — Lady Fern,Female Polypody

Polypodium grows on mossy rocks and on the wildstocks of oaks; the height of twenty centimetres, like

fern, somewhat rough, cut-in, but not divided as thinly.The hairy root lies underneath, with two curled locks likea polypus, the thickness of a little finger; but scraped it isgreen within, sharp, and with a somewhat sweet taste,and it is purging. To purge it is given boiled together with a hen, fish, beets or mallows. Dried, powdered, andsprinkled into honey and water, it expels phlegm andbile; and the root (pounded into small pieces andapplied) is good for cleaning, and for cracks between thefingers. It is also called scolopendrion, pteris, or polyrrhizon,and the Romans call it filicula licitalis.

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4-189. DRUOPTERIS

SUGGESTED: Dryopteris filix-mas, Polypodium filix-mas,Aspidium filix-mas, Polystichum filix-mas, Lastrea filix-mas,

Polypodium dryopteris — Male Polypody, Male Fern, Shield Fern, Buckler Fern

see 4-186

Dryopteris grows on the mossy parts of old oaks likefern, but there are fewer incisions. It has rough roots

enfolded by plaiting — astringent to the taste, inclining to sweetness. This is applied (pounded into small pieceswith its roots) to make hair fall off. You must wipe awaythe first application after it has moistened the skin, andlay on fresh. It is also called pterion, or nymphaea pteris.

4-190. KNIKOS

SUGGESTED: Cartamus, Crocus hortensis [Fuchs],Carthamum officinarum, Cnicus sativus [Bauhin],

Carthamus tinctorius [Linnaeus] — Safflower, Saffron Thistle[Mabberley]

see 4-119

Cnicus has somewhat long leaves, cut-in, sharp andprickly, and stalks a foot long on which are heads

the size of an olive; the flower like saffron [yellowthreads], the seed is white, reddish, somewhat long, andangular. This flower they use for sauce with meats[vegetable]. The seed is bruised and juiced with honeywater (or the broth of a hen) to purge the intestines. It isbad for the stomach. Marzipan is made from it forsoftening the intestines — the liquid of it mixed withalmonds, saltpetre [potassium nitrate], aniseed [3-65] and boiled honey. You must divide them in four parts aboutthe size of a carya [1-178] and take two or three of thembefore supper. You must prepare it as follows: combineone pint jar of white cnicus, three cups of almonds(roasted and blanched), one pint of aniseed [3-65], ateaspoon of the foam of saltpetre [potassium nitrate], and the flesh of thirty dried figs. The juice of the seed thickens milk and makes it more laxative.

737


4-191. LINOZOSTIS

SUGGESTED: Mercurialis mas [Fuchs], Mercurialis annua [Linnaeus] — Annual Mercury

lino — to smear; zoster — shingles

Linozostis has leaves like basil, similar to those ofhelxine [4-39, 4-86] but smaller, and little branches

with two joints and many thick wings. The seed of thefemale grows in abundant clusters. The male hasbranches that are small and round, as though it were, two little stones lying together. The whole shrub is twentycentimetres long or more, and both types (used asvegetables and eaten) induce movement of the bowels.Boiled in water (and the water taken as a drink) theyexpel bile and watery stuff. It is thought that the leaves ofthe female (pounded into small pieces and taken as adrink, as well as applied to the genitals after themenstrual flow cleansing) causes the conception of afemale child, and that if the leaves of the male are used inthe same way, it comes to pass that a male child is born. Itis also called argyros, aritrillis, or chrysitis; the Egyptianscall it aphlopho, the Romans, herba Mercurialis mascula, ortesticulata, the Africans, asumes; and it is also calledparthenium, or herbula Mercurii.

4-192. KUNOKRAMBE

SUGGESTED: Cynocrambe, Mercurialis sylvestris mas, Cynocrambe mas [Fuchs], Mercurialis perennis [Linnaeus]

— Dog's Mercury [Mabberley][other usage] Thelygonum cynocrambe — Dog’s Cabbage

Cynia (or cynocrambe) sends out small tender stemstwo feet high, somewhat white, with whitish leaves

at distances, like mercuria annua [4-191] or cissus. The seedlying by the leaves is little and round. Both the stalk andthe leaves (taken as a decoction or as vegetables) are ableto move the bowels. The water from their boiling expelsbile and watery stuff. It is also called the wild malelinozostis; the Africans call it harmas, and some,asumeslabon.

738


4-193. ELIOTROPION MEGA

SUGGESTED: Heliotropium europaeum — Heliotrope, Turnsole,Cherry Pie

The great heliotropium is named from the leavesturning around towards the setting of the sun. It has

leaves like basil but rougher, darker, and bigger; and (as it were) three or four or five shoots from the root, and onthese many wings. On the tops are white flowersinclining to a purple, winding around like the tail of ascorpion. The root is thin and of no use. Boiled with water and taken as a drink as much as a handful of this expelsphlegm and bile through the bowels. A decoction (takenas a drink with wine and also smeared on) is good forthose touched by scorpions. It is hanged around one tocause barrenness. And they say that a decoction of fourgrains of the seed (taken as a drink with wine one hourbefore the time of the fit) cures quartains; and three,tertians [recurrent paroxysmic fevers]. The seed issmeared on to dry up protruding warts, hanging warts,warty abnormal growths, and pustules appearing atnight. The leaves are usefully smeared on for gout,dislocations, and children that have siriasis [sunstroke];pounded into small pieces and applied, they induce themovement of the menstrual flow, and are abortifacient.From the form of the flowers some have called itscorpiuron, heliotropos, dialion, heliopun, scorpioctonon,sesamon sylvestre, or scorpij cauda.

4-194. ELIOTROPION MIKRON

SUGGESTED: Heliotropium amplexicaule — Blue Heliotrope Heliotropium ciliatum — White Heliotrope

The little heliotropium grows in marshy places and near lakes, with leaves like that mentioned above, only

rounder; with round seed hanging like hanging warts. Adecoction of the herb and seed (taken as a drink withsaltpetre [potassium nitrate], hyssop [3-30], nasturtium[2-185], and water) is able to drive out broadworms androundworms. Smeared on with salt it takes awayhanging warts.

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4-195. SKORPIOIDES

SUGGESTED: Myosotis scorpioides, Myosotis palustris — Scorpion Grass, Water Forget-me-not

Scorpiurus vermiculata — Common Caterpillar

see 2-214

Scorpioides is a little herb with a few leaves like the tailsof a scorpion. Smeared on they help those bitten by

scorpions considerably.

END OF BOOK FOUR

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Scorpiurus vermiculata

from TEGETMEYER — 1897

BOOK FIVE: VINES & WINES

We have given an account, most loving Areius, inthe four books written before, of spices, oils,

ointments, and of trees and their fruits and gums; andfurthermore of living creatures, of honey, milk and fats,and of those called corn and vegetables, and a fulldiscussion about roots, herbs, juices and seeds. In this,the last of the whole work, we will discuss wines andmetallic things, beginning with the tract concerning thevine.

5-1. AMPELOS OINOPHOROS

SUGGESTED: Vitis vinifera — Grape Vine

The leaves and tendrils of the wine-bearing vine(pounded into small pieces and applied with

polenta) lessen headaches, and the inflammation andburning of the stomach. The leaves do the same (appliedby themselves) as they are cooling and astringent.Furthermore, the juice of them (taken as a drink) helpsdysentery, bloodspitters, gastritis, and women that lust[anaphrodisiac]. The tendrils (steeped in water and taken as a drink) do the same things. The resin from it is likegum thickening around the stumps, and taken as a drinkwith wine it draws out stones [urinary, kidney] [calculi].Rubbed on, it heals lichen [papular skin disease],parasitical skin diseases, and leprosy but you must firstrub the place with saltpetre [potassium nitrate]. Theliquid that sweats out from a burning green branch(smeared on with oil) removes hair, and rubbed on ittakes off warts. The ashes of the branches, husks andseeds after the grapes are pressed (smeared on withvinegar and applied around the perineum), heal venereal warts and glandular fever. Applied with rosaceum [1-53],rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98] and vinegar it is good fordislocations, viper bites, and inflammation of the spleen.


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5-2. AMPELOS AGRIA

SUGGESTED: Ampelodesma tenax — Vine-tie, Diss Vitis labrusca — Wild Vine or Fox Grape

Two types of wild vine are found. The grape of onesort does not ripen, but at its flowering time it brings

forth shoots or buds. The other brings to ripeness a grapethat is small-grained, black and astringent. The leaves,tendrils and stalks have properties similar to thecultivated vine.

5-3. STAPHULE

SUGGESTED: Vitis vinifera — Raisins — Grapes — Grape Vine

Every grape which is newly gathered disturbs theintestines and puffs up the stomach, but those which

have hanged for some time share only a little of thesequalities because much of the liquid has dried up. It isgood for the stomach, restores the appetite, and is fit forthose who are weak. Taken out of their own rubbish[Pliny mentions grapes stored in pressed-out grape skins, often with wine] out of ceramic pots, they are pleasing tothe mouth, good for the stomach, and astringent to theintestines. They hurt the bladder and head, but they aregood for bloodspitters. Those put into must [pulp fromgrapes] are similar. Those from sapa [syruped new wine]or passum [raisin wine] are worse for the stomach. Theyare also kept in rainwater, having first been dried in thesun. These are a little pleasantly like wine, yet areeffective for thirst, those in a burning heat, andlong-lasting fevers. The dregs from them is stored andapplied with salt for inflammation, hard lumps, andswelling of the breasts. A decoction of these discards(given as a suppository) helps dysentery, the abdominalcavity, and womens flows [menstrual flows]. It is takenfor hip bathing and warm packs. The seeds from them are astringent and good for the stomach. Dried, poundedinto small pieces, and sprinkled on instead of polenta,they are good for dysentery, and the abdominal cavity,and those who have a queasy stomach.

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743

Vitis vinifera


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Vitis labrusca


5-4. STAPHIS

SUGGESTED: Vitis vinifera — Dried Grapes and Raisins — Grape Vine

The white uva passae are astringent and their flesh(eaten) is good for the throat, coughs, kidneys and

bladder, as well as for dysentery (either eaten alone withthe seeds or mixed with meal of millet, meal of barley and an egg, then fried with honey and taken). It is good either by itself or chewed with pepper to draw phlegm out ofthe head. Applied with meal of beans and cumin itsoothes inflammation from stones [urinary, kidney].Pounded into small pieces without the seeds and appliedwith rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98] it heals epinyctis [pustule whichappears only at night], carbuncles [infected boils][malignant skin tumours], favus [contagious skindisease], rotten ulcers around the joints and gangrenes. It is good applied with the juice of panax [opopanax 3-55] forgout. Applied to loose nails it soon draws them off.

5-5. OINANTHE

SUGGESTED: Ampelodesma tenax — Vine-tie, Diss Vitis labrusca —Grapes from the Wild Vine

Oenanthe is Water Dropwort or Water Hemlock — poisonous

The fruit of the wild vine when it flowers is calledoenanthe. After they have first gathered it and dried it

on a sheet in the shade it must be put into a ceramic jar.The best is from Syria, Cilicia and Phoenicia. It isastringent; as a result a decoction (taken as a drink) isgood for the stomach and urine, for stopping theintestines, and the spitting of blood. Dried and smearedon, it is effective for a queazy sour stomach. It is used both green and dry (with vinegar and rosaceum [1-53]) as aninhalant for headaches. Pounded into small pieces withhoney, saffron, rosaceum [1-53] and myrrh [1-77, 1-73,4-116], it is a poultice for bleeding wounds (keeping themfrom inflaming), as well as new ulcers in the eye and inthe mouth, and gangrenous ulceration on the genitals. Itis mixed with suppositories for repressing blood. Fordischarges of the eyes and a burning stomach it issmeared on with flour of polenta and wine. Burnt in a


745

ceramic jar with kindled coals it is good to add to eyemedicines. With honey it heals hangnails, pterygium[membrane on eye], and broken bleeding gums.

5-6. OMPHACION

Vitis vinifera — Juice from Unripe Grapes — Grape Vine

Omphacium is the juice from unripe Thasian orAminaean grapes. Having pressed out the juice

before the hottest days come, you must keep it in a redbrass jar in the sun (covered with a linen cloth) until it has thickened, always mixing that which congeals with themoist. Towards night take it in from the open air as thedews hinder the thickening. Choose that which is yellow, brittle, very astringent and biting to the tongue. Someboil the juice to thicken it. It is good with honey or passum[raisin wine] for the tonsils, the uvula, for mouth ulcers,moist flabby gums, and purulent ears; but with vinegarfor fistulas, old ulcers, and gangrenous ulceration of thecheeks. It is given as a suppository for dysentery andwomen’s menstrual flows. It is also a sight-restorer. It isgood for the roughness and disorders of the corners ofthe eyes. It is taken as a drink for recent bloodspitting and for bleeding from a rupture. You must use it diluted verywell and only a little of it too, for it burns excessively.

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Cassia floribunda


WINES5-7. Old Wines

Old wines hurt the nerves and the rest of the senses,yet they are pleasant to the taste. Therefore they are

to be avoided by those who have any part weak within.For the use of it in health a little is taken without hurt, and that diluted in water. New wine is inflative, hard todigest, a cause of nightmares, and is urinary. That of amiddle age avoids either of these evils, as a result it is tobe chosen for the uses of both health and sickness.

5-8. The Colour of Wine

Further, white wine is thin, easily digested and goodfor the stomach. The dark wine is thick and hard to

digest, heady and fattening. The claret has a middlecolour and also a middle strength compared to either ofthese, yet the white should be chosen both in health andsickness. Furthermore they differ in respect of theirqualities.

5-9. The Flavours of Wines and theirProperties

For the sweet wine consists of thick particles and ishard to evaporate, puffing up the stomach very much

and disturbing the intestines and the bowels like must[grape pulp], yet it inebriates less and is helpful for thebladder and kidneys. Sharp wine is more urinary andcauses both headaches and drunkenness. Unripe wine ismost suitable for digesting meats, and it stops theintestines and other discharges. That which is mildaffects the sinewy parts less and it is less urinary. Thatmade with seawater is bad for the stomach, causing thirstand hurting the strength; however it is good for thebowels, but unsuitable for those lately recovered fromsickness. Passum [raisin wine] made from sun-driedgrapes or those dried on the branches and pressed iscalled creticum, protropum, or pramnium, and that of boiled must [grape pulp] is called sirion, or hepsema. That which

747


is black (called melampsithion) is thick and verynourishing. The white is thinner and that in the middlehas a middle strength. All are binding like pulses[leguminous seeds], and good against all poisons[antidote] which kill by ulcerating (taken as a drink withoil and vomited up again); also against meconium [4-65],pharmicum [?poison], toxicum [?dogbane], hemlock andmilk curdled in the stomach, as well as against disordersof the bladder, and kidneys that are corroded andulcerated. They are windy and bad for the stomach.Melampsithium is suitable for those who have flowingbowels. The white is more softening for the intestinesthan the other. That which contains gypsum is offensiveto the strength, causes the pains in the head, and isburning and worthless for the bladder. It is better thanthe other against poisons. Wines that contain pitch (orrosin from pine) are warming and digestive, yet hurtfulfor bloodspitters. Those called aparachyta have sapa[syruped new wine] mixed with them, and fill the headcausing drunkenness. They are difficult to evaporate andworthless for the stomach.

5-10. Wines from Different Countries

Of the wines of Italy (in which it seems to excel) one is called falernum, which is old and easily digested,

binding the intestines like pulses, good for the stomachbut bad for the bladder, and unsuitable for the dull-sighted or for much to be taken as a drink. The Albanianhas thicker particles than the falernian and is sweetish,puffing up the stomach and soothing the intestines, notas good for the digestion, and hurting the strength less.When this is old it grows hard. The caecubum is sweet,with thicker particles than the Albanian, fattening andwith a good colour, but bad for the digestion. Thesurrentinum is very hard; as a result it stops excessivedischarges of the intestines and of the stomach, and itaffects the head less because it has light particles, butwhen old it is good for the stomach and becomes morepleasant. The adrianum and the mamertianum grow inSicily. Both have thick particles, are mildly astringent,grow old quickly, and affect the strength less because oftheir mildness. Praepianum (which is brought out of theplaces around Adria) has a sweet scent and is milder, but

748

WINES

if too much is taken as a drink it does not hide, but keepsthe drunkenness for a long time and brings sleep. Istricumis like praepianum only more urinary. The chium is moregentle than those previously mentioned — nourishing,drinkable, making one less drunk, stopping excessivedischarges, and effective to add to eye medicines. TheLesbian wine [from Lesbos] is easily digested, lighter thanthe Chian wine [from Scios in the Aegean sea] and goodfor the intestines. That which grows in Ephesus (calledphygelites) has the same properties as this, but that fromAsia (called messogites), from the mountain Tmolus,causes headaches and hurts the strength. The coon andclazomenian (because they have so much seawater) aresoon spoiled, inflative, disturb the intestines, and hurtthe strength.

5-11. The Effects of Wines

Generally, all unmixed and simple wine (hard bynature) is warming, easily digested and good for the

stomach. It encourages the appetite, is nourishing,induces sleep, and causes a good colour. Taken liberallyas a drink it helps [antidote] those who have takenhemlock, coriander, pharmicum [?poison], ixia [3-103],meconium [4-65], lithargyrum [5-102], smilax, aconitum[4-77, 4-78] or mushrooms; as well as for snakebites andthe strikes of all that by striking or biting kill by cold oroverturn the stomach. It is effective for long-lastingwindiness, anxiety from hypochondrium [nervous gastricdisorder], distension and hiccups of the stomach, andexcessive discharges of the bowels and intestines. It isgood for sweating and those who faint from it, especiallythe white, old, sweet-smelling wines. The old sweetwines (applied with lana succida [underneath wool]) aremore useful for disorders of the bladder and kidneys, aswell as for wounds and inflammation. They are usefullyapplied with hot cloths for malignancies and eating,running ulcers. Those without seawater (hard and white) are fitting for use in times of health. Of these the Italianwines excel, such as falernum, surrentinum, caecubum,signenan, many others from Campania, the praepian fromthe Adriatic coast, and the Sicilian called mamertinum. Ofthe Greek wines, there is the Chian [from Scios in theAegean sea], the Lesbian wine [from Lesbos], and the


749

phygelites from Ephesus. Thick black wines are bad for the stomach and inflative yet increase body weight. Thosethinner and harder are good for the stomach and increase body weight less. Those that are very old and thin andwhite are more urinary, yet if taken as a drink too muchthey affect the strength. Wines of a middle age are bestfor drinking, such as those of seven years. The amountconsumed must be gauged by the person's age, the timeof the year, the customs of the drinker, and the quality ofthe wine. The best rule is not to be thirsty and to indulgemoderately, for all drunkenness (especially that which iscontinual) is pernicious. For the strength, besieged daily(at last) yields, and too much drinking every day allowsthe entrance of sharp disorders. Taken moderately as adrink for a few days (especially after drinking water) it isacceptable. It alters the state of a man in a way, purgingvapors that annoy the senses, and opening the internalorgans secretly. Yet after drinking wine you must drinkwater, for it brings some help in avoiding illness owing todrunkenness.

5-12. OMPHAKITES OINOS

SUGGESTED: Lesbian Wine [from Lesbos]

The wine called omphacites is made properly in Lesbos.The grapes (not yet ripe in every part but tasting

sour) are dried in the sun for three or four days until theclusters are wrinkled, and after pressing out the wine isplaced in the sun in ceramic jars. It is astringent, good forthe stomach, for lustful women [anaphrodisiac], thosewith pains in the small intestine, those with difficultdigestion, and a squeamish stomach. It is sipped up tohelp plague symptoms. Such wines as these are usedafter many years, for otherwise they are not drinkable.

5-13. DEUTERIAS OINOS

SUGGESTED: Deuteria or Secondary Wine

Deuteria which some call potimon is made as follows:into the husks of the grapes out of which you have

pressed two hundred and seventy gallons of wine, put inthirty nine gallons of water. Mix it, trample it, strain it out,

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WINES

and boil it down to two thirds. To every four and a halflitres of the liquid that is left add two pints of salt, andafter winter pour it out into ceramic jars, but [do not] useit after a year, as it grows weak quickly. It is fit for those towhom we are unsure about giving wine and yet feelcompelled to satisfy the desire of the sick, and for thosewho have recovered from a sickness that lasted long. Awine is made called adynamon [lack of vital powers], withthe same strength as deuteria. Mix an equal measure ofwater and must [grape pulp], boil it gently over a soft fireuntil the water is used up, and after cooling it pour it outinto a pitch glazed jar. Some mix an equal amount of seawater, rain water, honey and must, pour it out intoanother jar and set it in the sun for forty days. They use itfor a year for the same purposes.

5-14. Wine of Wild Grapes

SUGGESTED: Cissus digitata — Wild Grape, Sorrel Vine Vitis labrusca — Wild Grapes

The black wine from the wild grape is astringent. It isgood for flowing intestines and the stomach and

many other things that require astringency andcontraction.

5-15. OINOS MELETITES

SUGGESTED: Old Wine with Honey

Vinum melitites is given in long-lasting fevers to thosewho have a weak stomach because it gently loosens

the bowels, induces urine, and purges the stomach. It isgood for arthritis, kidney disease, and those who have aweak head. It is useful for women to drink with water asit has a fragrant smell and is nourishing. It differs frommead [honey wine] because that is made from hard oldwine and a little honey, but for meletites five gallons ofhard wine is added to four and a half litres of honey andone winecup of salt. You must make it in a large jar so that it may have room to ferment lustily, sprinkling on the salt little by little until it is quite fermented, and when it stops, pour it out into other ceramic jars.

751


5-16. OINOMELI

SUGGESTED: Mulsum — Honeyed Wine, Mead

Mulsum is preferred which is made from old hardwine and good honey. Such as this creates less gas

and is quickly fit to be used. Old mulsum is nutritive andthe middle-aged is good for the bowels and diuretic.Taken after meat it hurts; taken as a drink beforehand itfills, but after that it encourages the appetite. It is usuallymade with nine gallons of honey mixed with eighteengallons of wine. So that they may make it fit for usequickly, some boil the honey together with the wine andpour it into jars. For the sake of profit, some mix six pintsof boiling must to one pint jar of honey, and after it hasdone boiling, pour it into other jars. It remains sweet.

5-17. MELIKRATON

SUGGESTED: Melicrate — Water Mead, Honey Water

Melicrate has the same strength as mead [honeywine]. We use it (boiled) for those in whom we

wish to soften the bowels or cause vomiting, as well as forthose that have taken a drink of poison [vomitory], giving it with oil. We use it (boiled) for those who have feeblepulses, the weak, coughers, pneumonia, and those whofaint with sweating. That which is provided and put injars for storage that they properly call hydromel [honeywater] is of a middle age and similar to the second-pressed wine and adynamon [for the lack of vital powers]as it also restores the strength. As a result it is moresuitable than second-pressed wine for those who haveinflammation in some part. That which is older is notallowed for those who have inflammation and areconstipated. It is suitable for those with a sore stomach,no appetite, or those who faint with sweating. It is madefrom two parts of old rainwater mixed with one of honeyand placed in the sun. Others use fountain water, boil itdown to one third and put it in jars. Honey water is alsomade from the honeycombs washed out with water andput in jars. When it is necessary to make it like this somealso boil it. It is unsuitable for the sick because it has toomuch waxy stuff.

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5-18. UDOR

SUGGESTED: Water

Water in general is difficult to analyse because of theindividualities of places and their peculiar natures

and the air and many other things. For the most part thebest is pure and sincerely sweet, not having any otherquality whatsoever, or staying in the digestive systemvery long, furthermore soon passing through withouttrouble, and not inflative nor spoiled.

5-19. UDOR THALASSION

SUGGESTED: Seawater

Water from the sea is hot, sharp, and bad for thestomach. It troubles the bowels, expelling phlegm.

Applied with hot cloths when it is warm it extracts anddissolves. It is good for disorders of the nerves, andchilblains before ulceration. It is conveniently mixed with poultices of barley meal, and it is suitable for plasters andsolutions for warm compresses. It is given lukewarm as asuppository for evacuations, and warm for griping. It is awash for parasitic skin diseases, itches, lichen [skin disease with red pustules], nits, and breasts swollen with milk.Applied with hot cloths it dissolves all bruises, and isgood for bites from poisonous creatures that causetrembling and quaking chills — especially fromscorpions, harvest spiders and snakes. Moreover, it isgood if anyone goes into a hot bath of it; such a bath ishelpful for long-lasting disorders of the body and thestrength. Inhaled as steam it eases dropsy, headaches,and hardness of hearing. Seawater put in jars alone andnot mixed with drinkable water becomes unpoisonous,but some boil it beforehand and then put it in jars. It isgiven as a purge by itself (or with posca [hot drinks], wineor honey), and after the purging they give the broth of ahen or fish to alleviate the sharpness of the pangs ofhunger.


753

5-20. THALASSOMELI

SUGGESTED: Seawater Sweetened with Honey

Thalassomeli is thought to purge very well. It is madefrom the same amount each of honey, rainwater and

seawater, strained, and placed in the sun in a pitch-glazed jar in the burning heat of the hottest days. Somemix two parts of boiled seawater and one of honey andstore it in a jar. This is more moderate and milder thanseawater alone.

5-21. OXUS

SUGGESTED: Acetum — Vinegar

Acetum cools and is astringent. It is good for thestomach and to encourage an appetite. It staunches

excessive bloody discharges, either taken as a drink or satin as a bath. It is good boiled together with meat fordischarges of the bowels. It is fit for bleeding wounds,and applied with unwashed wool or sponges keepsinflammation away. It represses the vulva and perineumthat have fallen down, and broken bleeding gums. It isalso good for gangrenous ulceration, erysipela[streptococcal skin infection], shingles [herpes], psoriasis,lichen [skin disease with red pustules], and pterygium[membrane on eye] mixed with some other medicinefrom those that are suitable. Continuously applied withhot cloths it stops eating ulcers and gangrenousulceration of the cheeks. Applied with hot cloths andsulphur it helps gout, and rubbed on it takes awaybruises. With rosaceum [1-53] and unwashed wool (or asponge) it is good for burning fevers of the head. Inhaledas a steam it helps those with difficult hearing, or noisesand hissings of the ears. Dropped in the ears it killsworms. It represses favus [contagious honeycombed skindisease] applied lukewarm with hot cloths or sponges. Itsoothes itching. For the bites of venomous creatures thatchill, a warm pack of it is good; but a cold one for thosethat spit poison that burns. It is good against all poisons[vomitory] taken warm as a drink and spewed up again,especially against the drinking of meconium [4-65] orhemlock. It is given against bloodclotting, or milk

754

WINES

curdling in the stomach, and with salt againstmushrooms, ixia [3-103] and smilax. Sipped up, it expelsleeches that were taken in a drink. It soothes an old cough but aggravates a new one. It is good sipped up warm forasthma. Gargled, it restrains discharges in the throat. It isgood for a synanchic [abscessed] throat, for the middleear that has fallen, and is rolled around the teeth (warm)for toothache.

5-22. OXUMELI

SUGGESTED: Oxymel, Vinegar Honey

Oxymel is made as follows. Take five half pints ofvinegar, two pounds of sea salt, twenty pounds of

honey and five pints of water, mix it all, boil it until it boils ten times, cool it, and pour it into another jar. It is thought that (taken) it expels thick fluids, and helps sciatica,arthritis and epilepsy. It is available for those bitten by the viper seps [poisonous lizard], and for those who havetaken a drink of meconium [4-65] or ixia [3-103] [antidote].It is a helpful gargle for synanchia [abscessed throat].

5-23. OXALME

SUGGESTED: Vinegar and Salt

Acetum salsum (applied with hot cloths) is good forgangrenous ulcers, rotten ulcers, dog bites and bites

from venomous creatures. It stops discharges of bloodfrom those who are castrated, poured warm into thewound straight after the surgeon has done. It helps aperineum that is fallen down, and it is given as asuppository for dysentery with gangrenous ulceration,but afterwards you must give an enema with milk.Sipped up and gargled it kills leeches, and cleansdandruff and running ulcers on the head.


755

5-24. THUMOXALME

SUGGESTED: Thymoxalme — Thyme Vinegar Thymus vulgaris — Common Thyme

The ancients used thymoxalme for those with a weakstomach (mixing three or four cups with warm

water) as well as for arthritis and those inflated withwind. It extracts thick black fluids, and it is made asfollows. Take an acetabulum [vinegar cruet] of thymepounded into small pieces, an equal amount of salt, and alittle each of polenta, rue [3-52, 3-53, 4-98] and pulegium[3-36]; throw them into a jar, pour on them three pints ofwater and a quarter pint of vinegar, wrap it in a linencloth, and set it in the open air.

5-25. SKILLETIKON OXUS

SUGGESTED: Scilla maritima, Ornithogalum maritima, Urginea scilla, Urginea maritima — Medicinal Squill,

Sea Onion, Squill — Squill Vinegar

POISONOUS

Scillinum vinegar is made as follows. Clean the whitesquill and cut it in slices, then pierce them through

with a thread so that the slices do not touch one another,and dry them in the shade for forty days. Then take onepound of it, put it into twelve pints of good vinegar, andleave it in the sun to steep for forty days, corking the jarcarefully. After this remove the squill, press it out, andput it away. Strain the vinegar, pour it into a jar andpreserve it. Some mix a pound of dried squill to five pintsof vinegar. Some, immediately it is clean without beingdried, put in an equal measure of vinegar and let it steepfor six months. This is sharper. It is astringent andstrengthening, good as a mouth rinse for loose, swellinggums, and for loose teeth, effectively curing rotten ulcersaround the mouth and stinking breath. Sipped up, itstrengthens the jaws and makes them hard, and it makesthe voice loud and clear. Those with difficult digestion,epilepsy, vertigo, and depression take it. They also take itfor gastritis and delirium, as well as for wombconstriction, swollen spleen, and sciatica. It restores those who are extremely weak. It makes the body sound with a

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good colour. It is a sight-restorer and it is effectivedropped in the ears for the hard of hearing. In general it is good for all things except internal ulcers, headaches anddisorders of the nerves. A little of it is given to thosefasting (when they are beginning) to sip day by day, anda while after increase it to a winecupful but to some givetwo cups or more.

5-26. OINOS SKILLETIKOS

SUGGESTED: Scilla maritima, Ornithogalum maritima, Urginea scilla, Urginea maritima — Medicinal Squill,

Sea Onion, Squill — Squill Wine

POISONOUS

Squill wine is made as follows. Cut apart the squill, as Ihave said [above], and dry it in the sun. Then cut one

pound of it, and having sarced [scraped, chopped] it with a thin sarce [blade], wrap it in a thin linen cloth, put it into twenty pints of good new must [grape pulp] and let itsteep for three months. After this pour out the wine intoother jars, sealed carefully. One may also use the moistsquill, cutting it in the shape of a navew [naphew, swede]and doubling the amount; but you must keep it in the sun forty days and let it be very old [before using it].

Squill wine is also made this way. Take three poundsof the cleaned, cut-apart squill, put into it an Italian ninegallons [six gallons and seven pints] of good must, andhaving corked it, leave it alone six months. Then strain itand put it in another jar and put it away. It is good forindigestion from spoiled meat, for those who vomit it up,and for those who have thick fluids in their bowels orstomach, as well as for the spleen, those who havecachexis [malnutrition], dropsy, jaundice, frequentpainful urination, or griping; also those distressed withgaseousness, paralysis, long-lasting chills, vertigo, orconvulsions. It expels the menstrual flow, and does notannoy the tendons at all. The older it is, the better. Youmust not use it in fevers, or for those who have aninternal ulcer.


757

5-27. OINOS THALASSIKOS

SUGGESTED: Wine made with Seawater

Wines are made with seawater in various ways.Some add seawater after the grapes are gathered;

others first place them in the sun and tread them, mixingin seawater; others make raisins from the grapes andsteep them with seawater in casks. This wine becomessweet. Those that are made with a harder taste are goodagainst the signs of approaching acute fevers (if there isnothing better at hand), for bringing down the intestines, and for rotten spitters, hard bowels, and anyone affectedin the head by Aminaean wines. Yet these are bad for thestomach and cause wind.

758

WINES

Blepharis edulis

after FAGUET - 1874

OTHER WINES

So that this history may be complete for those wholove histories, we think it is not out of place to

describe the making of many other sorts of wine, notbecause they are useful or suitable, but so that we maynot omit anything. There are some of them that requireless skill to make yet they have use, such as wines ofquinces, pears and pods [carob tree — Ceratonia siliqua]and that which is made from myrtle berries.

5-28. OINOS KUDONITES


Cydonia oblonga, Cydonia vulgaris — Quince — Quince Wine

Cydonites wine is made as follows. Remove the seedsfrom the quinces, cut them up like a navew [naphew,

swede] and put twelve pounds of them into nine gallonsof must [grape pulp] for thirty days. Afterwards strain itand put it in jars. It is also made as follows: after beatingand pressing out the quinces, mix them with twelve pintsof quince juice and one pint jar of honey and put it in jars. It is astringent, good for the stomach, and suitable fordysentery, liver ailments, kidney disorders, and frequentpainful urination. It is also called melites.

5-29. MELOMELI


Cydonia oblonga, Cydonia vulgaris — Quince — Quinces in Honey

Melomeli is made as follows. The quinces (with theirseeds removed) are put into a good amount of

honey, so that they are covered. This becomes pleasantafter a year like mead [honey wine]. It has the same usesas the confection above. It is also called cydonomeli.


759

5-30. UDROMELON


Cydonia oblonga, Cydonia vulgaris — Quince — Quinces in Honey

Hydromelon is made as follows: nine gallons ofmelomeli of quinces [above] is mixed with eighteen

of boiled water and placed in the sun in the hottest days.The properties of this are also the same [as the above].

5-31. OMPHACOMELITIS

SUGGESTED: Vitis vinifera — Grape Vine — Grapes & Honey

Omphacomelitis is made this way. Take unripe grapesnot yet changing colour, place them in the sun for

three days, and after having pressed them add to threeparts of the juice one part of the best purified measurablehoney, and keep it in the sun, having poured it into jars.It is repressive and cooling, and it is good for gastritis andthe abdominal cavity. It can be used after [?for] a year.

5-32. OINOS APITES

SUGGESTED: Pyrus communis — Pear Wine

Pear wine is made the same way as that of quinces butdo not let the pears stand until they are overripe.

And wines of the pods [carob tree — Ceratonia siliqua],medlars and services [Amelanchier rotundifolia] are madethe same way. They are all astringent, sourish, good forthe stomach, and restrain discharges from within.

5-33. OINOS OINANTHINOS

SUGGESTED: Ampelodesma tenax — Vine-tie, Diss Vitis labrusca — Wild Vine

Vinum oenanthinum [from vine shoots or blossoms] ismade as follows. Take two pounds of the dried

flowers of the wild vine’s new shoots, put it into ninegallons of must [grape pulp] for thirty days, then having

760

OTHER WINES

strained it put it in jars. It is good for weaknesses of thestomach, lack of appetite, for the abdominal cavity, andfor dysentery.

5-34. OINOS ROITES

SUGGESTED: Roites — Rhoa — Punica granatum— Pomegranate Wine

Pomegranate wine is made as follows. Take ripeApyrenian pomegranates, and having pressed the

juice out of the grains put it in jars; or, having boiled it totwo thirds, put it in jars. It is good for discharges fromwithin, for fevers accompanied with excessive discharges of the bowels, and for the stomach, as well as for bindingthe bowels, and it is urinary.

5-35. OINOS RODITES

SUGGESTED: Rosa canina, Rosa rugosa — Rodites — Rose Wine

Redites is made as follows. Bind one pound of roses —that were dried and pounded — in a linen cloth and

put it into eight pints of must [grape pulp]. After threemonths strain it, put it in other jars and put it away. It isgood for those without fever, for digestion of the stomach and its disorders (taken as a drink after meat), as well asfor moist bowels and dysentery. It is also made with thejuice of roses and honey mixed together and this is calledrhodomeli. It is good for roughness in the throat.

5-36. OINOS MURTITES

SUGGESTED: Myrtites — Myrtus communis — Myrtle Wine

Myrteum is made as follows. Take black overripemyrtle berries, beat them, squeeze out the juice

with a press and put it in a jar. Some also boil it away totwo thirds; and some set the berries out in the sun first,then dry them and mix three half pints of water and anequal amount of old wine to two pints of them, pounded,and then they strain it out and put it in jars. It isexcessively astringent, good for the stomach, and


761

effective for a flowing stomach and intestines, also forulcers within, and excessive discharges, and it makes thehair on the head black [dye].

5-37. OINOS MURSINITES


Myrsinites is made as follows. Take the branches andleaves of the black myrtle with the myrtle berries,

beat them, put ten pounds of this pounded myrtle intothree gallons of must and boil it until two thirds remain,or half. Then strain it and put it in jars. This is good forrunning ulcers on the head, dandruff, and contagiousrashes; as well as for gums, the tonsils, and pus-filledears, and it also stops sweats.

5-38. OINOS SCHININOS

SUGGESTED: Schinus [Bedevian] — Mastic Tree, Pepper Tree Schinus molle, Pistacia lentiscus, Bursera gummifera,

Sideroxylon mastichodendron — Herb Mastic


Schininus wine is made the same way as myrtle wine[above].

5-39. OINOS TERMINTHINOS

SUGGESTED: Terminthinus — Pistacia terebinthus — [Old English] Termenteyne — Turpentine Tree

Termininthos is made the same way as myrtle wine[above]. The branches of these are taken when they

have fruit, and they have the same strength as myrtlewine [above] — astringent, good for the stomach, andsuitable to use for discharges of the stomach, intestines,and bladder, and for bloody discharges. Applied with hot cloths they form a skin over running ulcers, and theyrepress discharges around the womb and perineumwhen sat in [a hip bath].

762

OTHER WINES

5-40. OINOS PHOINIKITES

SUGGESTED: Phoenix dactylifera — Date Palm Wine

Palmeum. Take common ripe dates and put them into a small cask bored through in the bottom and corked

with a pitch-covered reed. Let the hole be covered withlinen. To twenty pints of dates put in three gallons ofwater. If you would not have it too sweet pour in fivegallons, and let it rest for ten days. On the eleventh day,take the linen cloth away from the reed, let out the thicksweet wine, and put it in jars. It is exceptionally sweetand worthless for the head, but good for dischargesbecause it is astringent. It is fit for gastritis, the abdominalcavity and for bloodspitters. Some mix it with water, andthey do this a third, fourth, and fifth time when thatwhich is left grows sour.

5-41. OINOS KATORCHITES

SUGGESTED: Catorchites — Ficus carica — Wine made with Figs

Catorchites is made in Cyprus like the palmeum wine. Itdiffers because instead of water, some put in an

infusion of equal amounts of newly-pressed husks andstones of grapes. Dry, black, Chelidonian or Phoenicianfigs are added and steeped as in date wine [above]. Afterten days the liquid is taken out and the same measure ofthe infusion of the husks and stones is poured on asecond and third time. In the same way gradually thefourth and fifth infusion, which is sharp, is taken out: thisthey use for vinegar. This wine has thinner particles, andis inflative and bad for the stomach. It represses theappetite, is good for the intestines, and urinary. It extracts the menstrual flow, and makes milk abundant[breastfeeding]. It causes bad blood, and is a cause ofelephantiasis, like zythum [soured barley water]. Some alsoput ten pints of salt or nine gallons of brine to fifty fourgallons of this liquid, thinking it would be changed andgood for the bowels; and some lay thyme and marathrum[3-81] in the bottom, then the dry figs, and they do this byturns until they have filled the jar. It is also called suchiten.


763

5-42. OINOS SUKOZIORITES

SUGGESTED: Sycomorus antiquorum, Ficus sycomorus— Sycamore Fig, Sycamore, Mulberry Fig — Sycamore Wine

Sycamine — old English for Mulberry

European Sycamore is Maple e.g. Acer campestre, the Field Maple or Hedge Maple.

Wine from sycamores is made the same way. It turns to sharp vinegar because it is not able to keep the

sweetness of the liquid that flows from them.

5-43. OINOS RETINITES

SUGGESTED: Picea abies, Pinus mugo — Retinites — Rosin from Spruce Firs, Pines — Rosin Wine

Rosin wine is made in many nations. It is abundant inGalatia because the grapes remain unripe because of

the cold, and the wine grows sour if it is not mixed withPicea resina [spruce]. The rosin is pounded with the bark,and a quarter pint is mixed to nine gallons of wine; somestrain it after it is boiled, taking away the rosin; othersleave it alone. Growing old, these become sweet. They allcause headaches and vertigo, and yet are digestive andurinary. They are good for those with dripping mucusand coughs, for the abdominal cavity, dysentery, dropsy,and women's menstrual flows, and it is a syringe for deepulcers. The black is more binding than the white.

5-44. STROBILITES

SUGGESTED: Pinus mugo — Pinecone Wine

Strobilites is made from new bruised pinecones steeped in must [grape pulp]. It has the same effects as

resinatum [5-43]. Pinecones steeped in must and boiledare good taken copiously as a drink for pulmonarytuberculosis.

764

OTHER WINES


765

Pistacia terebinthus

after EICHHORN — 1913

766

OTHER WINES

Pinus larix

after FAGUET— 1888

5-45. OINOS KEDRINOS

SUGGESTED: Cedar Wine, Juniper Wine, Cypress Wine, Bay Wine, Pine Wine, Fir Wine

Cedar, juniper, cypress, bay, pine or fir wines aremade the same way. Separate the newly cut wood

when it gives out fruit, lay it in a bath in the sun or nearthe fire so that it may sweat, and then mix one pound ofthis to four and a half litres of wine. Mix it and leave italone for two months. Then put it in another jar, andhaving placed in the sun for a while, put it in smaller jars.We must fill up the jars of wines made like this, for if wedo not they grow sour. Nevertheless these medicinalwines are unfit for the healthy. They are all warming,urinary, and somewhat astringent. That of bay is themost warming. A wine is also made from the fruit of thebigger cedars. Mix half a pound of bruised cedar berriesto four and a half litres of must and keep it in the sun forfour days, and after all this strain it and pour it intoanother jar.

5-46. OINOS ARKEUTHIDITES

SUGGESTED: Juniperus communis — Juniper Wine

Wine is also made from the berries of juniper trees,as well as from the fruit of the cedar, which has the

same effects.

5-47. KEDRITES

SUGGESTED: Cedrus libani, Cedrus libanotica, Pinus cedrus, Abies cedrus, Larix cedrus — Cedar of Lebanon

Cedar deodara, Larix deodara, Pina deodara — Deodar,Himalayan Cedar, Indian Cedar — Cedar Wine

Cedrites is made as follows. Wash the cedar rosin withsweet water, and place in each nine-litre container a

winecupful apiece [of rosin], and then fill it with must[grape pulp]. This is also warming and reduces theintensity of symptoms. It is good for a cough without afever, disorders of the chest and the sides, griping, ulcersin the stomach and the intestines, as well as for purulent


767

spitters, dropsy, and womb disorders. It is good forworms and shivering, it helps those bitten by snakes, andkills snakes, and dropped in the ears it heals theirdisorders.

5-48. OINOS PISSITES

SUGGESTED: Pissites — Pinus mugo — Pine — Pitch Wine

Vinum picatum is made of moist pitch and must [grapepulp]. First wash the pitch in seawater or brine until

it turns white and the seawater runs clean, and thenwash it in sweet water. To eight gallons of must add oneor two ounces of pitch and let it stand. After it has boiledand is settled put it in jars. It is warming, digesting,cleansing, and purging — suitable to be used fordisorders of the chest, bowels, liver, and spleen, as well as disorders of the womb if there is no fever. It is used fordeep ulcers, and long-lasting discharges. It is good forcoughs, slow digestion, gaseousness, asthmas, anddislocations (especially) applied with unwashed wool.

5-49. OINOS APSINTHITES

SUGGESTED: Artemisia absinthium, Absinthium vulgare — Old Woman, Wormwood — Absinthe

NARCOTIC

Absinthites is made in various ways. Some mix onepound of Pontic wormwood with forty eight pints

[Italian amphoras] of water and boil it until a third is left.Afterwards they pour on it six pints of must [grape pulp]and half a pound of wormwood. Then having mixedthem carefully they put it in a jar and strain it out when itis settled. Others put a pound of wormwood into ninegallons of must, beat it, and binding it in a thin linencloth, leave it alone for two months. Others put three orfour ounces of wormwood and two ounces each of Syrian nard [1-6, 1-7, 1-8, 1-10], cinnamon, cassia, flowers ofjuncus odoratus [4-52, 1-16], and Phoenicean dates intonine gallons of must, beat them in a mortar (afterwardscorking it tightly) and leave it alone for two or threemonths. Then it is strained, placed in other jars and

768

OTHER WINES

stored. Others put fourteen ounces of Celtic nard [1-7]and forty ounces of wormwood, binding it in a linencloth, into a metreta [? measure] of must, and after fortydays store it in other jars.

Others put one pound of wormwood and two ouncesof dry pine rosin into twenty pints of must, and after tendays they strain it and put it in jars. It is good for thestomach and urinary, good for slow digestion, theliverish, for kidney disorders and jaundice, for those who lack appetite, stomach complaints, long-lastingdistension from hypochondria [nervous gastricdisorder], gaseousness, roundworms, and for therestrained menstrual flow. It is good for drinking downwith ixium [3-103], taken copiously as a drink andvomited up again.

5-50. OINOS USSOPITES

SUGGESTED: Hyssopus officinalis — Hyssop Wine

The best hyssop wine is that which is made fromCilician hyssop. It is made like absinthites [above]. Put

one pound of bruised hyssop leaves (wrapped in a thinlinen cloth) into nine gallons of must and also put in small stones so that the bundle subsides to the bottom. Afterforty days strain it and put it in another jar. It is good fordisorders in the chest, side, and lungs, and for oldcoughs, and asthma. It is diuretic, good for griping, andthe periodical chills of fevers, and it induces themenstrual flow.

5-51. OINOS CHAMAIDRUITES

SUGGESTED: Chamaedrys vera mas [Fuchs], Chamaedrys minor repens,Teucrium chamaedrys [Linnaeus] — Common Germander, Ground Oak, Wall Germander

— Germander Wine

Chamaedryites is made the same way as hyssop wine[above]. It is warming and settling, good for

convulsions, jaundice, womb distensions, slowness todigest, and recent dropsy; but when old it is better.


769

5-52. OINOS STICHADITES

SUGGESTED: Stichas, Stichas arabica [Fuchs], Stoechas purpurea[Bauhin], Lavandula stoechas — French Lavender,

Spanish Lavender — Lavender Wine

Stoechadites is made in same way as hyssop wine[above]. Put one pound of stoechados [lavender] into

six gallons [of wine]. It dissolves thick fluids,gaseousness, pains of the side and the nerves, andextreme cold. It is effectively given with pyrethrum [3-86]and sagapenum [3-95] for epilepsy.

5-53. OXUS STICHADIKON

SUGGESTED: Stichas, Stichas arabica [Fuchs], Stoechas purpurea [Bauhin], Lavandula stoechas

— French Lavender, Spanish Lavender

Stoechas vinegar is made for the same purposes as thewine [above]. The herb is steeped in the vinegar (as

previously explained) and it is effective for the samethings [as the wine].

5-54. OINOS KESRITES

SUGGESTED: Betonica [Fuchs], Betonica purpurea [Bauhin], Betonica officinalis [Linnaeus], Stachys officinalis [in Sprague],

Stachys betonica — Betony, Woundwort, Bishop’s Wort, Hedge Nettle, Windflower

Wine is made from the cestrum they callpsychotrophon. Take the herb when it is full of ripe

seed together with its branches, put one pound into twogallons of wine, leave it alone for seven months, and then put it in another jar. It is good for many disorders within,as much as the plant itself. Generally all the additivewines receive the strength of the things added; thereforeto those who understand them, it is easy to guess thestrength of the wines. The use of wines is for theunfeverish. Vinegar made of this cestrum is useful forsimilar disorders.

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OTHER WINES

5-55. OINOS TRAGORIGANITES


Candian Savory — Tragoriganum Wine

Tragoriganites. Let down four teaspoonfuls oftragoriganum (bound in a linen cloth) into four pints

of must [grape pulp] for three months and then jar it. It isgood for griping, convulsions, hernias, pains of the side,the movement of winds, and difficulty to digest.

5-56. OINOS BOUNITES

SUGGESTED: Napus-Bunias sativas [Fuchs Plate #98], Brassica campestris var rapa [Linnaeus], Barbarea praecox

— Land Cress — Bunium Wine

Pound two teaspoonfuls of bunium, put it into twopints of must for three months, and then jar it. It is

good for stomach disorders, and those tired from fighting in armour or much riding.

5-57. OINOS DIKTAMNITES

SUGGESTED: Dictamnites Dictamnus albus, Dictamnus fraxinella— White Dittany, Gas Plant, Candle Plant, Fraxinella

Origanum dictamnus, Dictamnus creticus, Amaracus dictamnus— Dittany of Crete — Dittany Wine

Steep four teaspoons of dittany in eight half pints ofmust for three months and then jar it. It is good for

those with a squeamish stomach, and expels bodilywastes and the menstrual flow.


771

5-58. OINOS PRASITES

SUGGESTED: Marrubium [Fuchs, Brunfels],Marrubium album vulgare [Bauhin], Mentastro [Italian],

Marrubium vulgare [Linnaeus] — Prasites— Common White Horehound

Having pounded the leaves of fully-grown prasium,take two quarts of it, and put them into nine gallons

of must for three months, and then jar it. It is good fordisorders of the chest, and whatever prasium is good for.

5-59. OINOS THUMITES

SUGGESTED: Thymus angustifolius, Thymus glaber — Thymites — Wild Thyme, Mother of Thyme — Thyme Wine

Bind one hundred ounces of pounded sifted thyme ina linen cloth, put it into nine gallons of must for three

months, and then jar it. It is good for digestive difficulties, lack of appetite, dysentery, disorders of the nerves, andhypochondria [nervous gastric disorder]; for wintershiverings, and for poison from venomous creatures[bites] that chill and putrify.

5-60. OINOS THUMBRITES


Candian Savory — Thymbra Wine

Thymbrites is made in the same way and is good forwhatever thymites is.

5-61. OINOS ORIGANITES

SUGGESTED: Origanum heracleoticum [Loudon] — Winter-sweet Marjoram — Origanum Wine,

Marjoram Wine

Origanites is made from Heracleotican origanum inthe same way as thymites, and is good for the same

things.

772

OTHER WINES

5-62. OINOS KALAMINTHITES,GLECHONITES, ABROTONITES

SUGGESTED: Calamintha tertium genus [Fuchs], Conyza media asteris [Bauhin], Inula dysenterica [Linnaeus],

Pulicaria dysenterica [in Sprague] — FleabaneCalamintha nepeta, Nepeta cataria [Linnaeus] — Catmint,

Catnip Calamintha officinalis, Melissa calamintha — Common Calamint

Pulegium [Fuchs], Pulegium foemina [Brunfels],Pulegium latifolium [Bauhin], Mentha pulegium [Linnaeus],

Pulegium vulgare, Glechon [Latin] — Pennyroyal, Pudding Grass

Abrotonum foemina [Fuchs], Absinthium ponticum [Bauhin],Artemisia pontica [Linnaeus], Abrotanum mas [Linnaeus],

Artemisia abrotanum, Abrotoninum — Southernwood

Wine from southernwood, glechium or calaminth ismade like that of thyme. Because they are urinary

they are good for stomach disorders, those who lackappetite, and jaundice.

5-63. OINOS KONUZITES

SUGGESTED: Conyza odorata, Pluchea odorata — Ovrabla Conyza squarrosa — Great Fleabane

Conyza wine is made in the same way as those aboveand it is the most effective of all against poisons

[antidote].

5-64. OINOS AROMATITES

Aromatic Wine

Vinum aromatites is made as follows. Pound two pintseach of dates, aspalathus [1-19], calamus [1-17, 1-114]

and Celtic nard [1-7] into small pieces, mix them withpassum [raisin wine], and when the lumps are a good sizeput them into twelve pints of fermented must [grapepulp], then cork the jar and leave it alone for forty days.Then strain it and put it in jars. It is also made anotherway. Take eight teaspoonfuls of calamus [1-17, 1-114],


773

seven teaspoonfuls of phu [1-10], two teaspoonfuls ofcostus [1-15], six teaspoonfuls of Syrian nard [1-6, 1-7, 1-8,1-10], eight teaspoonfuls of cassia, four teaspoonfuls ofsaffron, five teaspoonfuls of amomum [1-14], and fourteaspoonfuls of asarabacca [1-9], pound them togetheruntil fine, bind them in a linen cloth, and put them intonine gallons of must. After the wine has been boiled put it in new jars. It is good for disorders of the chest, side, andlungs, as well as for painful urination, chills, and therestrained menstrual flow. It is good taken as a drink forthose who travel in extreme cold, and those who produce thick fluids. It causes a good colour, and is both sleepinducing and eases pain. It is suitable to use for sufferingof the bladder and kidneys.

5-65. OINOS EK SMURNES, PEPEREOS,IRIDOS

Aromatic Wine

Aromatic wine for dripping fluids, coughs,indigestion, inflation, and mucus of the stomach is

made as follows. Take two teaspoonfuls of myrrh [1-77,1-73, 4-116], one teaspoonful of white pepper, sixteaspoonfuls of iris, and three teaspoonfuls of dill [3-67](thoroughly pounded), bind these in a linen cloth andput them into six pints of wine. After the third day strainit, put it in jars in a stone pot, and give a winecupful of itto drink after waking, giving it unmixed.

5-66. OINOS NEKTARITES

SUGGESTED: Elenium, Inula, Enula campania [Fuchs],Helenium vulgare [Bauhin], Inula helenium [Linnaeus],

Inula campana, Aster helenium, Aster officinalis — Nectarites — Common Inula, Horse Elder, Elecampane

— Elecampane Wine

Nectarites is made from elecampane. Tie five ouncesof dried elecampane root in a linen cloth, put it into

six gallons of must, and after three months take it out. It isgood for the stomach and chest, and expels urine. It isalso called medica, symphytum, idaeum verbascum, orestion,or nectarion.

774

OTHER WINES

5-67. OINOS DIA NARDOU KAIMALABATHROU

SUGGESTED: Phu germanicum, Valeriana vulgaris, Phu vulgare[Fuchs], Valeriana sylvestris major [Bauhin],

Valeriana officinalis [Linnaeus] — Valerian [Mabberley]— Wine from Nard

Phu magnum, Valeriana maior, Phu verum [Fuchs]

Valeriana hortensis [Bauhin], Valeriana phu [Linnaeus],Valeriana dioscorides — Phu, Cretan Spikenard,

Garden Valerian

Wine from Syrian nard, Celtic nard [1-6, 1-7, 1-8,1-10] and malabathrum [1-11] is made as follows.

Take half a pound of each, put them into two gallons ofmust, and after two months strain it out. Give onewinecupful of this to three of water. It is good for kidneydisorders, liver ailments, dysuria, jaundice, poorcolouring and gastritis. Some put one or two ounces ofacorus [1-2] and three ounces of Celtic nard [1-7] into ninegallons of must.

5-68. OINOS ASARITES

SUGGESTED: Asarites — Asarum europaeum — Asarabacca Wine

Put three ounces of asarabacca into six pints of must,as above. It is diuretic, good for dropsy, jaundice,

liver ailments, and sciatica.

5-69. OINOS AGRIAS NARDOU

SUGGESTED: Valeriana dioica — Marsh Valerian — Wine of Wild Nard

Put eight ounces of fresh root of wild nard (poundedinto small pieces and sifted) into a four and a half

litres of must, and leave it alone two months. It is effective for liver ailments, and frequent painful urination, as wellas for an inflated stomach, and stomach disorders.


775

5-70. OINOS DAUKITES

SUGGESTED: Pastinaca sativa, Pastinaca lucida, Pastinaca dissecta [Loudon] — Parsnip — Daucites Daucus carota var boissieri — Parsnip, Wild Carrot

Put six teaspoons of well-pounded daucus root intonine gallons of must [for several months], and then

pour it into another jar. It is good for hypochondria[nervous gastric disorder] and disorders of the chest andwomb; it expels the menstrual flow, and inducesbelching and urine. It is good for coughs, convulsions,and hernias.

5-71. OINOS ELELISPHAKITES

SUGGESTED: Salvia maior, Salvia minor [Fuchs, Bauhin],Salvia officinalis [Linnaeus] — Helelisphacites — Sage

Helelisphacum wine is made the same way. Put eightounces of the herb into nine gallons of must in a

ceramic jar. It is good for disorders of the kidneys,bladder and sides, as well as for bloodspitters, coughs,hernias, convulsions, bruises, and impeded menstrualflow.

5-72. OINOS PANAKITES

SUGGESTED: Heracleum panaces — Panacites — Fig-leaved Cow Parsnip

Heracleum gummiferum, Heracleum pubescens,Heracleum pyrenaicum — Downy Cow Parsnip

Put one ounce of panax [opopanax, 3-55] into four and ahalf litres of must [for several months], and then

pour it into another jar. It is good for convulsions,hernias, bruises, and orthopnoea [form of asthma]; itreduces the thickness of the spleen, and is good forgriping, sciatica, and slow digestion. It expels themenstrual flow, and is good for dropsy, and for thosebitten by venomous creatures.

776

OTHER WINES

5-73. OINOS AKORITES

SUGGESTED: Acorum officinarum, Gladiolus luteus [Fuchs,Brunfels], Acorus adulterinus [Bauhin], Iris pseudacorus

[Linnaeus] — Acorites — Yellow Flag, Water Flag

Acorus and lycoris [?] wines are made in the same way[as those above] — steep eighty ounces of each of

them in six gallons [of must] for three months, and thenstore it in another jar. They are effective for the side andchest, and for inducing urine.

5-74. OINOS SELENITES

SUGGESTED: Apium, Apium hortense [Fuchs], Eleoselinum,Apium palustre [Brunfels], Apium graveolens [Linnaeus], Apium

celleri, Celeri graveolens — Selenites — Marsh Celery,WildCelery, Celery, Marsh Parsley, Smallage

Bind up nine ounces of new, sifted, ripe selinum seedin a linen cloth, put it similarly into nine gallons of

must [for several months]. It causes an appetite, and isgood for stomach disorders, and frequent painfulurination, and it also makes the breath sweet.

5-75. OINOS MARATHRITES KAIANETHINOS

SUGGESTED: Wines of Marathrum [3-81], Dill and Parsley

Wines of marathrum, dill and parsley are made in thesame way, and are good for the same things.

5-76. OINOS ALOS ANTHINOS

SUGGESTED: Wine with Salt

Wine is also made [by adding] ground-up salt. It ismore purging than that made with seawater. It

troubles the throat, kidneys, bladder and stomach.Therefore it is useful neither for health nor for sickness.

777


5-77. OINOS PHTHORIOS ENIBRUON

Abortion Wine

POISONOUS

A wine is made that destroys embryos, for among thevines planted there is planted veratrum [4-150,

4-151], wild cucumber or scammony, from which thegrapes take the strength; and the wine made from [thegrapes growing near] them becomes destructive. Eightcups mixed with water is given to women fasting, havingfirst vomited.

5-78. OINOS THUMELAITES

SUGGESTED: Thymelaea hirsuta, Daphne gnidium— Thymelites — Gnidium, Spurge Flax, Flax-leaved Daphne

Throw thirty teaspoons of the branches of thymelaea(together with its fruit) into two gallons of must. Boil

it, seething it gently, until only one and a third gallons are left, then strain it and bottle it. It purges watery matterand reduces the spleen.

5-79. OINOS CHAMAILAITES

SUGGESTED: Chamelaea [Pliny], Cneorum tricoccon — Chamailaites — Dwarf Olive

After the shrub flowers, beat and sift twelve teaspoons with the leaves and throw them into two thirds of a

gallon of must. After two months pour it into another jar.It is good for dropsy, liver disorders, weariness, andwomen who are constipated after childbirth.

5-80. OINOS CHAMAIPITUINOS

SUGGESTED: Chamaepitys lutea vulgaris [Bauhin],Teucrium chamaepitys [Linnaeus], Ajuga chamaepitys [in

Sprague] — Chamaipituinos — Ground Pine, Yellow Bugle

Chamaepityinum is made in the same way, and is goodfor the same things as it is diuretic.

778

OTHER WINES

5-81. OINOS MANDRAGORITES

SUGGESTED: Mandragora mas [Fuchs], Mandragora fructurotundo [Bauhin], Mandragora officinarum [Linnaeus],

Atropa mandragora — Mandragorites — Common Mandrake,Devil’s Apple — Mandrake Wine

NARCOTIC, POISONOUS

Cut the bark of the roots into pieces, pierce half apound of them through with a thread, and put them

into nine gallons of must for three months. Afterwardsstore it in another jar. A weak dose is a quarter pint. It istaken as a drink with double the amount of passum [raisinwine] added to it. They say that half a pint of it, mixedwith six pints [of raisin wine] and taken as a drink, bringsone into a heavy, deep sleep. And that one winecupful(taken as a drink with a pint of wine) kills. The moderateuse of it takes away the sense of pain, and thickensoutflows of body fluids, and either inhaled or given as aenema it does the same.

5-82. OINOS ELLEBORITES

SUGGESTED: Elleborum nigrum [Fuchs], Helleborus viridis[Linnaeus], Helleborus officinalis, Helleborus niger,

Veratrum nigrum — Elleborites —Black Hellebore, Christmas Rose — Hellebore Wine

POISONOUS

Throw twelve teaspoons of finely pounded blackhellebore (tied in a clean linen cloth) into two thirds

of a gallon of must, diluted with seawater, and when ithas boiled pour it into another jar. Or throw fourteen orfifteen ounces of black hellebore (having bruised itthoroughly) into two thirds of a gallon of must withoutseawater, then strain it, and after some days use it. Giveone winecupful of this to drink with water after bathingfor loosening the bowels, and to those who wish to vomitafter supper. Or bind twenty teaspoons of veratrum,twelve ounces of juncus [4-52, 1-16], and thirteen ouncesof Syrian spica [1-6, 1-7, 1-8, 1-10] (all sifted) in a linencloth, and put them into seven pints of wine from Coonfor forty days. After straining it give three quarters of apint to drink. Or else steep six pounds of white hellebore

779


for forty days in six pints of boiled seawater, and havingstrained it, use it. Or steep twelve teaspoons of helleboreand four teaspoons of saltpetre in six pints of must forfifteen days, then strain it and use it after six months. This also causes infants to abort [abortifacient].

Or else take nine gallons of must made from raisinsdried in the sun, throw twenty teaspoons of gypsum intothe must and leave it alone for two days. Then add thirtyounces of black hellebore (tied in a knot) thirty ounces ofcalamus [1-17, 1-114], thirty ounces of juncus odoratus[4-52, 1-16], one and a half-pints of juniper berries, and an ounce each of myrrh [1-77, 1-73, 4-116] and saffron,having bound them in a linen cloth. Hang them in thewine for forty days, then strain it, mix it with water, andgive two or three winecupfuls to drink. It purges womenafter childbirth and abortions, is an abortifacient, and isavailable for womb strangulation.

5-83. SKAMMONITES

SUGGESTED: Convolvulus scammonia, Convolvulus syriacus — Scammonites — Scammony Wine

The root of scammony is dug up at the time of harvest,then pounded finely and bound in a linen cloth.

Throw fifteen teaspoons of it into six pints of must forthirty days. It purges the bowels, expelling bile andphlegm.

780

OTHER WINES

Castanea vulgaris — Chestnut


METALLIC STONES5-84. KADMEIA

SUGGESTED: Cadmium Earth — Cadmia

The best cadmia is the Cyprian called botryites, which isthick and not very heavy, but rather inclining to

lightness, with the outside in clusters, coloured likeashes, but ashy and rusty within when broken. The nextbest is an azure [blue] colour on the outside and whiterwithin with veins like an onyx stone. These are dug out of old mines. There is another type called placodes with veins (or stripes) like girdles, which is why they called it zonitis.There is another type called ostracitis, slender and mostlyblack, with an earthy or baked clay outside; but the whitecadmia is useless. Botryitis and onychitis are useful for eyemedicines, and the rest for plasters and dry medicinesthat are able to make a new skin. For these things theCyprian is the best to use. That which is brought out ofMacedonia, Thrace or Spain is useless. It is binding —filling up sores, and cleaning their foulness. It stopsdischarges of the pores, and dries, draws to a scab, andrepresses abnormal growths of the flesh, and creates anew skin on malignant ulcers.

Cadmia also comes from brass made red-hot in afurnace, from the soot sticking to the sides and top of thefurnaces. Sticks of iron of a great size (called acestides bythe metalworkers) are joined together at the top so thatthe particles that are carried up from the brass may beattached and settle there. Adhering together they growinto a clump, and sometimes one kind of it, sometimestwo or all are made. It is also made from a burned stonecalled purites [pyrites]dug out of a hill that lies over Solis.And in the same mound are found (as it were) some veins of chalcitis, misy, sory, melanteria, coeruleus, chrysocolla,calcanthus and diphryges. Some say that cadmia is found inmetals growing in stones, but they are deceived by thestones having a great resemblance, as in the case of astone found at Cumae that has no strength. They arerecognised because they are lighter than cadmia, andchewed, they are not mild to the taste but offend theteeth as if stones were being chewed. Cadmia remains

781


chewable as it has a yielding nature. It is also discerned asfollows. Cadmia (pounded into small pieces, made into apaste with vinegar and dried in the sun) comes together,but that from stone does not allow this. Also the stone,broken and put into fire leaps, and the smoke that comesfrom it is like the fire; the cadmia remains quiet and yieldssmoke that is a yellowish brassy colour surroundingvarious other colours. Furthermore the stone, burnt andcooled again, is altered in colour and lighter. The cadmiaalters in no respect unless you burn it for many days. It isalso made in the furnaces for silver — paler and lighter —but less effective. They burn the previously mentionedcadmia, covering it in coals until it becomes transparentand casts out flaming sparks as plates of iron do, then itmust be quenched in Aminaean wine. That which is forscabies [itchy parasitical disease] medicines, must bequenched in vinegar. Some beat finely again that whichwas burnt, mix it with wine, and burn it again in anunfired clay jar until it is made to look like pumice. Then,beating it small again and mixing it with wine, they burnit a third time until it is formed perfectly into asheswithout any roughness, and they use this instead ofspodium [calcinated powder]. Being pounded with waterin a mortar, the water then poured away until no filthremains on it washes it; then it is made into balls and putin jars.

5-85. POMPHOLUX

SUGGESTED: Zinc Oxide — Pompholyx

Pompholyx differs from spodium [calcinated powder]specifically, as it has not a general difference. For the

spodos is somewhat black and for the most part heavier asit is full of lumps, hairs and earth, because it is thescrapings and shavings from the floors and hearths in the brass refiners’ shops. Pompholyx is fat, white andaltogether very light, so that it can fly into the air. Thereare two kinds of this; one is the colour of the air andsomewhat fat. The other is very white and the most light.Pompholyx becomes white during the working andfinishing of the brass when the brass refiners sprinkle oncrumbled cadmia [5-84] thickly, wanting to have it better;for the smoke that is carried up from this is very white

782

METALLIC STONES

and is turned into pompholyx. Pompholyx is not only madefrom working brass and from its substance, but also fromcadmia intentionally blown with the bellows tomanufacture it. It is made as follows. In a house with aceiling and roof, a chimney is built and near it towardsthe loft, a suitable window. It is open at the parts above.The wall of the house next to the chimney is drilledthrough with a small hole into the furnace for holding the bellows. It has also a proper door made for the workmanto go in and come out. Joined to this room is anotherroom, in which the bellows and the bellows blower work. Then coals are put into the furnace and kindled,afterwards the workman standing by sprinkles on cadmia, pounded into small pieces, from overhead. The servantthat is below also does the same and puts on more coals,until all the cadmia [5-84] that was applied is used up.Thus burnt the thin light part is carried into the upperroom and sticks to the walls and to the roof. Thesubstance of those particles (carried up at first) is indeedlike bubbles standing on water, but upon increasing it islike wool fleeces. The heavier particles fall underfoot andare spread about, some into the furnace and some to thefloor of the house. This is thought to be worse than thethin particles, because it is earthy and full of filth fromgathering it. Some think that the previously mentionedspodos is only made this way. It is thought that theCyprian (which, worked into a paste with vinegar, hasthe smell of brass) is the best. The colour is pitchy, andfurthermore it is like dirt to the taste. When pure it boils if it is put on a burning coal, becoming an airy colour. Wemust carefully observe the signs previously mentioned,for it is counterfeited with bulls’ glue, or lambs’ lungs,with lungs of the sea [jellyfish], or with burnt green figsand some other similar things. These are easily perceivedfor none of the previously mentioned tests work onthem.

Pompholyx is commonly washed as follows. Havingbound it (either dry or made into a paste with water) in amoderately thin clean linen cloth put it into a basincontaining rain water, and plunge it about in therecarrying the knot this way and that way so that the slimymatter and the stuff which is good can run out, but all therefuse will remain in the cloth. Then allow it to settle,strain out the water with the ashes, and pour on otherwater again. Roll it about, and then pour it out and repeat

783


this procedure, both straining and pouring it out until nosandy matter subsides. Finally strain out the water, drythe ashes, and put them in jars.

Some dry it as much as possible, squeeze it in theirhands with water to a honeyish consistency, and strain itthrough a linen cloth spread over the jar that is to receiveit. The mixture is not too stiff so that it may easily passthrough. They then pour water abundantly on the linencloth to disturb the ashes, then with a spoon they take upthe strained frothy stuff swimming on top which theystore in a new ceramic jar. Gently straining that whichhas settled, they pour it into another jar, while the sandymatter is left at the bottom. Again, allowing the stonysubstance to subside, they strain it into another clean jarand they do this often until the ashes become clean andwithout sand.

Others wet it as it is, a whole piece in the water, littleby little, thinking that the previously mentioned sandand stony matter would fall by its own weight to thebottom of the jar and that the filaments, specks andsimilar things would be lifted on top by their lightness.Then separating the ashes which are in the middle andthrowing them into a mortar, they wash them like cadmia[5-84]. It is also washed with Chian [from Scios in theAegean sea] wine diluted with seawater as previouslymentioned, and this is more astringent than that washedwith water. Pompholyx is astringent, cooling, filling,purging, and somewhat drying. Spodium [calcinatedpowder] should be roasted after first being carefully andfinely pounded. Then sprinkle it with water, makelozenges with it and put them in a new ceramic jar. Placethis on a small, gentle coal fire and turn the little ballscontinuously until they become red and dry. It should bementioned that spodium [calcinated powder] is also madeout of gold and silver, and furthermore also from lead;that from lead is the best, then that from copper.

5-86. ANTISPODA

SUGGESTED: Ashes used instead of Spodium [5-85]

Since spodium is often not available and antispodia arevery good to use, it is necessary both to show what

they are, which of them are of equal strength, and how

784

METALLIC STONES

they should be taken. Take therefore myrtle [1-155, 4-146] leaves with the flowers and unripe myrtle berries, putthem into an unfired clay jar, and having sealed the cover and pierced it through with many holes, put it into apotter’s furnace. When the jar is well baked, put [themyrtle] into another unfired jar, and when this second jar is thoroughly baked, take it out, wash it and use it. In thesame way take a branch of an olive, but let it be from thewild; but if not, from the cultivated olive with theflowers; and if not this, quinces cut in pieces and the pithtaken out; or [oak] galls, linen rags, unripe whitemulberries dried beforehand in the sun, lentisk [1-90],terminthos [1-91] shoots or buds, the tender leaves ofbramble, or the filaments of box, or that which is calledfalse cypress together with its flowers. Some preparebranches of the fig tree first dried in the sun, but othersuse bulls’ glue; some prepare rough unwashed wool,moistening it with pitch or honey. All the previouslymentioned ashes are useful in that they may serveinstead of spodium [calcinated powder].

5-87. CHALKOS KEKUMENOS

SUGGESTED: Burnt Brass

Burnt brass is good if it is red, and when rubbed lookslike cinnabar [red or crystalline mercuric sulphide].

The black burnt brass is burnt more than necessary. It ismade from the nails of broken ships laid together in anunfired clay pot (sulphur first scattered underneath) with the same amount of salt, and layers applied one over theother by turn. The pot is corked and smeared withpotter’s clay, then put into a furnace until it has bakedthoroughly. Instead of sulphur and salt, some sprinkleabout allom [5-123]. Without using either sulphur or saltsome place the nails together into the pot and burn themfor many days; some use sulphur alone. These nails musthave the soot wiped from them. Others rub the nails with alumen [5-123] in small pieces together with sulphur andvinegar, and burn it in an unfired clay pot. Some sprinklethem with vinegar in a brass pot, then burn them. Afterthe nails are burnt this way, they repeat the procedurethree times, then they put the residue in jars. That whichis burnt in Memphis is the best, then that from Cyprus. It

785


is suitable as an astringent, to dry, relieve, repress, attract, clean, form a skin over ulcers, wear off things growing inthe eyes, consume the overgrown flesh of a healingwound, and stop gangrenous ulcers. It will also inducevomiting, a decoction taken as a drink with honey water,licked with honey, or smeared on. It is washed like cadmia[5-84], the water changed four times a day until no frothstands on top. The dregs (washed the same way) have the same property but are somewhat weaker.

5-88. CHALKOU ANTHOS

SUGGESTED: Flowers of Brass

The flowers of brass, which some of the ancients calledpsegma [ramentum — shavings] are best if they are

very brittle and very red when crushed finely; and likemillet in size — small, heavy and mildly glittering — andbesides, not containing any dust of brass with which it iscounterfeited. The powder spreading out when crushedby the teeth allows one to discern it. It is made as follows.When the brass that is melted in metallic furnaces runsthrough the colanders of the adjoining pipes into thereceptacles, those who supervise take away the scum,and pour on the purest water intending to cool it. Thepreviously mentioned flower of brass is 'spit out' (as itwere) as a result of this sudden thickening andhardening. This is therapeutic for the bowels, repressesabnormal growths, and wears off those things thatdarken the sight of the eyes as it is excessively biting. Ifforty grains are given it extracts thick fluids. It consumesabnormal growths of flesh in the nostrils, and with wineit represses pustules on the perineum. White flowers ofbrass are blown into the ears through a pipe for deafnessthat has lasted a long time. It is beaten finely and appliedwith honey to repress the tonsils and uvula.

5-89. LEPIS

SUGGESTED: Brass Scales

Squama is also called helitis and is made from Cyprianbrass nails. It is thick and good; but that made from

white brass is thin and weak and we refuse it, preferring

786

METALLIC STONES

that which is thick and shiny and turns rusty whenvinegar is sprinkled on it. It is contractive and reduces the intensity of symptoms of noma [grazer disease, eats awaymuscle, tissue and bones], repressing putrification andforming new skins. A decoction (taken as a drink withhoney and water) expels fluids. Some work it into a pastewith meal and give it as a catapotium [pill]. It is also mixedwith medicines for the eyes as it dries eyelids that arerough, removing rheum [excessive fluids].

It is washed as follows: clean half a pound of dry brass scales [flakes], put them into a mortar with clear water,stir them up and down carefully by hand until the scumsinks down, and throw away the remainder. Havingpoured out the water, pour in one wine cup of rain water, and with the palm of the hand rub it hard in the mortar(as if you were straining it), and when it begins to sendout viscousness, little by little pour on water (as much assix cups) beating it strongly. Take the squama with yourhand against the side of the mortar, press it hard, andhaving pressed it take that which has run out into a redbrass box, for this is the flower of squama. It is very potentand very effective for eye medicines. The rest has nostrength. Yet, washing that which remains in the sameway, work it until it shows no glueyness. Having coveredit with a linen cloth, you must let it stand still for twodays. Then pour out the water that stands on top, dry theremains and put it in a box. Some wash it like cadmia[5-84] and put it in jars.

5-90. LEPIS STOMOMATOS

UNKNOWN: stoma is a little mouth

Scales [flakes] of stomoma have the same strength asscales [flakes] of brass, and their washing and storage

are the same; but in purging the bowels they are lesseffective than that of brass.

5-91. IOS XUSTOS

SUGGESTED: Verdigris — Brass Oxide

Aerugo rasilis [verdigris — brass oxide] is prepared asfollows. Pour the sharpest vinegar into a cask or

787


some similar jar and place over it a brass jar. It is good ifthe hollow faces downward — if not, let it be flat. It mustbe clean and leave no space for air. After ten days take offthe cover and scrape off the aerugo [verdigris — brassoxide] that has grown on it. Or, having made a plate ofthe brass itself hang it in the jar so as not to touch thevinegar, and after the same number of days scrape it off.Or, hide one piece or plate or more among the husks ofgrapes (not pressed recently but turning sour) invertedthe same way. It may also be made from filings of brass, or the plates between which leaves of gold are held whenpounded out if one sprinkles them with vinegar, thenturns them three or four times until they are rusty allover. They say that this rust is obtained in the Cyprianmines in two ways; flourishing on some stonescontaining brass, and secondly dropping out of a certaincavern in the scorching weather on the hottest days. Theformer is only a little quantity and very good, but thatfrom the cavern, though it flows out in abundance andhas a good colour, is worthless because it is mixed withstony matter.

It is counterfeited by the addition of many otherthings, especially with the following. Some mix it withpumice stone, some with marble, and others withcalcanthum [limestone]. You can discern the pumice stone and marble by wetting the thumb of the left hand andrubbing some part of the rust with the other, because therust in it spreads out while the particles of pumice stoneand marble remain undissolved. At last it turns whiteafter long rubbing and with the addition of the moisture.Also decide by crushing it with your teeth, for theunmixed breaks down smooth and not rough. Theaddition of calcanthum [limestone] is discerned by fire. Ifyou sprinkle the rust thus counterfeited on a plate orceramic jar and put either of these in warm ashes or oncoals, that made with calcanthum [limestone] is changedand grows red because it usually has such a colour whenit is burnt.

788

METALLIC STONES

5-92. IOS SKOLEX

SUGGESTED: Scolecia — Rust

RISK OF BLOOD POISONING

There are two types of rust called scolecia; for the one isa mineral and the other is made as follows. Pour a

quarter pint of white sharp vinegar into a mortar madefrom Cyprian brass, and with a pestle made of the samematerial beat it until it is viscous. Then add one teaspooneach of ground allom [5-123] and transparent mineral saltor sea salt (as white and strong as possible) and if not, thesame amount of saltpetre [potassium nitrate]. Then beatthem together in the sun in the extreme heat of thehottest days until the mixture becomes rusty in colour but gluey in consistency. Then make it into little worms likerhodianda [? stamens of roses] and put it in jars. It is madeeffectively and with a good colour if one part of vinegarand two parts of old urine are used and processed aspreviously mentioned.

Some mix that which is useless with aerugo rasilis[5-91], form it into a shape with gum and sell it. This is tobe refused as worthless. A type of rust is also a made bythe goldsmiths with a Cyprian brass mortar and pestleand a child’s urine, with which they solder gold. Thepreviously mentioned rusts are commonly similar toburnt brass. They are stronger in effect. It should bementioned that the dug-up or mined scolecia [rust] is thebest, next to that is the scraped or smooth, and then themanufactured. This last is more biting and astringent butthat from the goldsmiths is similar to the scraped orsmooth. All rust is suitable as an astringent, to warm, towear off and relieve scars in the eyes, to draw tears, stopgangrenous ulcers, keep wounds from inflammation,and form a skin over ulcers with oil and wax. Boiled withhoney they purge callos [pus under a hard skin] and foululcers. Taken with amoniacum [3-98] the same way as eyesalves or suppositories, they remove fistulas and theircallos. They are good for abnormal growths, andprotuberances of the gums; rubbed on with honey theygreatly lessen [swollen] eyelids. After rubbing you mustbathe with a sponge and warm water. Taken withterminthos [1-91] rosin, brass or saltpetre [potassiumnitrate] they take away leprosy.

789


Rust is burnt as follows. Break it into very smallpieces, put it in a ceramic platter, set it over burning coalsand stir it around until it changes and looks a somewhatashy colour, then cool it, put it in jars and use it. Someburn it in an unfired clay jar, as previously described, butburnt like this it will not change altogether into the samecolour.

5-93. IOS SIDEROU

SUGGESTED: Iron Rust

CAN CAUSE BLOOD INFECTIONS ON OPEN CUTS

Iron rust is astringent, and applied it stops women'sexcessive discharges [menstrual flow]. A decoction

(taken as a drink) causes inconception [birth control], and rubbed on with vinegar it heals rashes such as measles. Itis suitable to use for whitlows, pterygium [membrane oneye], scabbed eyelids, and venereal warts, and itstrengthens the gums. Rubbed on it helps gout, andthickens loss of hair [alopecia]. Iron made burning hotthen quenched in water or wine, and the liquid (taken asa drink) is good for the abdominal cavity, dysentery,spleen, cholera, and diarrhoea.

5-94. SKORIA SIDEROU

SUGGESTED: Iron Slag

Scoria [slag] of iron is suitable for as many things as rust from iron but to a lower degree. Taken as a drink with

vinegar and honey [antidote] it helps aconitum [4-77,4-78].

5-95. MOLUBDOS PEPLUMENOS

SUGGESTED: Washed Lead — Molybdos [Greek] — LeadMolybdomenite — Selenite of Lead

TOXIC

Washed lead is prepared as follows. Place water intoa lead mortar and beat it with a lead pestle until

the water becomes black and muddy. Then strain it

790

METALLIC STONES

through a linen cloth, pouring on more water, so that allthat which is dissolved may be strained. Repeat theprocedure until it seems that you have enough, thenletting that which is washed settle, pour out that waterand pour in other water, as in the case of cadmia [5-84],and wash it until no blackness remains on it. Then maketablets from it and put it in jars. Some sprinkle water ontoclean lead, beat it in a stone mortar with a stone pestle orby hand, pouring on water little by little underhand.When that which has turned black has been allowed tosettle they pour it out and form it into tabletsimmediately. For that which is rubbed longer becomeslike cerussa [white lead ore]. Some put a little plumbago[5-100] into the lead dust saying that lead washed thisway is better.

It is able to cool, and is an astringent to close the pores, fill up sores and wounds, and deter fluids that gather inthe eyes, and fleshy abnormal growths of ulcers. It is alsoa blood stauncher, and is good used with rosaceum [1-53]for ulcers on the perineum, venereal warts, andhaemorrhoids. It is also used for sores that will not heal,and in general it treats the same things as spodium[calcinated powder] without raising a scab. Unmixedlead is rubbed on to help the strike of a sea scorpion [2-14] or sea dragon [2-15].

5-96. MOLUBDOS KEKAUMENOS

SUGGESTED: Burnt Lead

TOXIC

Lead is burnt as follows. Take plates of lead (as thin aspossible), put them into a new pot and sprinkle

sulphur on them, and place layers of lead plates andsulphur until you have filled the pot. Then start a fireunderneath. When the lead is kindled, stir it with an ironrod until it is perfectly turned into ashes and has nothingleadlike in it. Then take it out (having closed yournostrils, for the vapour is harmful), throw this dust oflead and sulphur into a pot, and burn it. Some throw theplates into an unfired clay jar, put it into a furnace or overcoals (sealing the cover with soft clay and giving it a littlebreathing place [hole]), and burn it. Some sprinkle cerussa[white lead ore] or barley on it instead of sulphur. Some

791


place the plates in without any admixture, use a sharpfire, and stir it around lustily with an iron rod until itturns to ashes. Burning it like this is difficult, and burnedtoo much it takes on the colour of lithargyrum [5-102]. Thefirst method pleases me. We must wash it as we do cadmia[5-84] and put it in jars. It has the same uses that thewashed lead has but is far stronger.

5-97. SKORIA MOLUBDOU

SUGGESTED: Lead Slag

TOXIC

The best lead slag [scoria] looks like cerussa [white leadore], thick and hard to break with no trace of lead in

it, yellowish in colour and glistening like glass. It is goodfor the same things as burnt lead but is more astringent. It is washed in a mortar, with water poured on and thatwhich remains on top is a yellowish colour when pouredout. This is done often until the scoria [slag] is used up.Then after allowing it to settle we pour out the water andmake it into tablets.

5-98. MOLUBDOEIDES LITHOS

SUGGESTED: Lead Stone

TOXIC

Lead stone has the same properties as scoria [slag] andis washed in the same way.

5-99. STIMMI

SUGGESTED: Stibium — Trisulphide of Antimony, Black Antimony

The best stibium is the brightest — shining, crustywhen broken, with no earthiness or foulness, and

quickly broken. It is able to close the pores, and isastringent and cooling, repressing fleshy abnormalgrowths, forming new skins on ulcers, and cleaning filthand ulcers in the eyes. It stops discharges of blood thatcome from the meninx [brain and spinal cord]. Generally

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METALLIC STONES

its properties are like burnt lead. In particular it will notlet burns form a scab rubbed on with new grease, and itforms skin over sores grown to scabs if some wax and alittle cerussa [white lead ore] is mixed with it. It is roasted— wrapped around with dough and hidden in coals until the dough has turned to a coal. When taken out it isquenched with the milk of a woman that bears a malechild or with old wine. It is further burnt: applied to coalsand blown until it flames, for if it is burnt more it meltslike lead. It is washed like cadmia [5-84] and brass, butsome wash it like lead scoria [slag]. Some have called thisstibi, platyophthalmon, larbason, gynoecion, or chalcedonium.

5-100. MOLUBDAINA

SUGGESTED: Silver Salts and Gold SaltsPlumbago — Molybdos [Greek] — Lead — in this manuscript

Molybdomenite — Selenite of Lead

TOXIC.

Old English — Plumbago is native or mineralised carbon. Molybdenum is a metallicelement — a silvery metal — symbol Mo. Molybdenite is disulphide of

Molybdenum.

The best plumbago looks like frothy silver — yellow,somewhat glittering, and a tawny yellow when

pounded into small pieces. Boiled with oil it becomes likeliver in colour. That which is an airy or lead colour isworthless. It is made from silver and gold, and there issome found which is dug out of the earth about Sebastiaand Corycum. The best of this is neither like scoria [slag],nor stony, but yellow and glittering. It has properties likelithargyrum [5-102] and [slag] of lead, and is washed andburnt the same way. It is most effectively mixed withgentle plasters called lipara, and is effective with plastersthat are not corrosive — promoting the growth of flesh ina wound or sore, and forming new skin. It is not suitablefor those plasters that close open cuts and clean.

793


5-101. SKORIA ARGUROU

SUGGESTED: Silver Slag

Scoria [slag] of silver is called helcysma or encauma. It hasthe same strength as plumbago [5-100]; as a result it is

mixed with black plasters, and those for forming newskin, as it is extractive [draws out] and astringent.

5-102. LITHARGUROS

SUGGESTED: Lithargyrum, Litharge — Monoxide of Lead Monoxide of Silver and Monoxide of Molybdenum

TOXIC

Some spuma argenti or froth of silver is made from sandcalled molibditis [molybdenite — disulphide of

molybdenum] blown in a furnace until perfectly fired.Some is made from silver and some from lead. TheAttican is best, next to this is the Spanish, after these thatfrom Dicaearchia in Campania and from Sicily, for muchof it is made in these various places from lead plates thatare fired. The best is a yellow glittering sort calledchrysitis; that from Sicily is called argyritis [silver], andthat from silver is called calabritis. It is astringent andsoftening, filling up hollownesses, repressing abnormalgrowths of flesh, and forming new skins; as well as beingcooling, and closing the pores. You should burn it asfollows. Divide it into pieces the size of carya [1-178], place them on burning coals, and blow on them untilthoroughly fired. Then wipe away the filth that hasformed on it and put it in jars. Some quench it three timeswith vinegar or wine then burn it again, and having done these things, put it in jars. It is washed like cadmia [5-84].

It is made white as follows. Take as much as anAthenian choenix [two pints] of that which is calledargyritis [silver] (and if not, then one of the others) broken into pieces the size of beans, and throw it into a newceramic jar. Pour on water and throw in two pints ofwhite wheat as well. Take a handful of barley, bind it in athin clean linen cloth, hang it from the handle of theceramic jar, and boil it until the barley is broken. Thenpour it all out into a clean broad-mouthed plate, separatethe wheat, and throw it away. Pour on water to wash the

794

METALLIC STONES

sediment, rubbing it strongly at the same time with yourhands. Then take it out, dry it, and beat it in a Thebaeanmortar, pouring on warm water until it has dissolved.Straining out the water, pound it again for a whole day,and in the evening pour on hot water then leave it alone.In the morning strain out that water, pour in more, andrepeat this procedure three times a day. Do this for sevendays. Then mix to a pound of lithargyrum fiveteaspoonfuls of mineral salt, pour on warm water andbeat it three times a day, straining out the old water andmixing in new water each time. Even if it turns whitepour on warm water until it contains no saltiness. Dry itin a very hot sun (first throwing away the liquid) then put it in jars.

Alternatively, take one pound of argyritis [silver], beatit into small pieces carefully, and mix in three times asmuch mineral salt, also pounded into small pieces. Put itinto a new ceramic jar, and add water until it is covered.Stir it every day, morning and evening, pouring in inmore water as needed, but pouring out none of theoriginal water. Do this for thirty days for if it is not stirredit becomes as hard as a shell. Afterwards (having pouredout the salt water) gently beat the sediment finely in aThebaean mortar. Put it into a ceramic jar, pour in water,and stir it diligently with your hands, pouring out thefirst water and pouring on more until it has no saltiness.Then pour out the white lithargyrum into another jar,make lozenges with it, and keep them in a lead box.

Some break the sediment into pieces the size of beans, place them into the raw intestines of a swine, and boil it in water until the intestines have dissolved. Then they takeit out, beat it with the same amount of salt, and wash it aspreviously described. Some beat one pound of salt andthe same amount of lithargyrum in the sun with water,(continuously replacing the water) until it becomeswhite. Or, alternatively, take as much lithargyrum as youwant, wrap it in white wool, place it in a new ceramic jarwith water and one handful of clean new beans, and boilthem. When the beans are broken and the wool hasturned black, take out the lithargyrum, wrap it in otherwool, and boil it a second time, adding a winecupful ofwater and the same amount of beans, and repeat theprocedure until the wool absorbs no more colour. Afterthis place it into a mortar, mixing one pound of mineralsalt to eighty Athenian teaspoons of lithargyrum, and beat

795


it finely. Then after a while add forty seven teaspoonfulsof the very whitest saltpetre washed with water, and beat it again until the sediment is sufficiently white. Thenpour it from a height into a broad-mouthed ceramic jar,add a quantity of water, let it settle, and strain it. Repeatthe procedure until the water that runs over becomesvery clear and sweet, not salty. Finally, put it into a newceramic platter (all the liquid having been gently strainedout), set it in the sun forty days during the hottest days,and having dried it, use it. Lithargyrum that has beenwashed seems to be good to put in eye medicines, as wellas for foul scars, wrinkled faces and those full of spots.

5-103. PSIMUTHIOS

SUGGESTED: Cerussa — White Lead

TOXIC

Cerussa is made as follows. Pour the sharpest vinegarinto a broad-mouthed jar or ceramic urn, and fasten

a lead plate to the mouth of the jar with a little reed matplaced underneath. On the top of it put covers so that thevinegar cannot evaporate before it is dissolved, and fallsdown distilled. Strain out the pure liquid on top. Pour the viscous stuff out into a jar and dry it in the sun. Then itmust be ground in a hand mill, or finely pounded someother way and sarced [scraped]. Repeat this poundingand scraping three or four times. That which is sarced[scraped] first is the best, to be used in eye medicines, and the next best follows next, and so on. Some use a bullrushmat, fastening it towards the middle of the jar so that ittouches the vinegar. Then they cork the mouth of it, sealit all up, and leave it alone. After some days they take offthe cover to look in, and when it is all dissolved theyrepeat the procedures previously described. To form itinto lozenges, it must be kneaded with sharp vinegar,shaped, and dried in the sun. The things mentioned heremust be done in the summer for then it becomes whiteand effective.

It is also made in the winter, the ceramic pots set overfurnaces, baths, or chimneys. The warmth is carried fromabove, the same as the sun. That which is made inRhodes, Corinth or in Lacedaemonia is considered thebest. The next is that which comes from Puteoli. It is

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METALLIC STONES

roasted as follows: place a new Ostracean jar (especiallyan Athenian) over light burning coals, sprinkle on cerussa[white lead] pounded into small pieces, and stir itcontinuously. When it is ashy in colour take it out, cool it,and use it. If you want to burn it put the pounded smallpieces into a hollow platter set it over live coals, and stir itwith a stick of ferula until it is similar in colour to sandarac[5-122] then take it out and use it. If cerussa is washed thesame way as cadmia [5-84] some call this sacyx. Mixedwith stiff ointments, plasters called lipara, and withlozenges [tablets, but not to take internally] it is cooling,pore-closing, softening, filling, reduces the intensity ofsymptoms; and furthermore gently represses abnormalgrowths, and forms new skins; it is among those thingswhich taken internally kill.

5-104. CHRUSOKOLLA

SUGGESTED: Chrysocolla

This was a name for Borax or Malachite and means Gold Solder.

TOXIC

Chrysocolla from Armenia is the best — considerablyresembling leeks in colour; that from Macedonia is

the second, then the Cyprian. The pure should bechosen, but that which is full of earth and stones must berefused. It is washed as follows: pound it, put it into amortar, pour on water, and rub it strongly with the palmof your hand against the mortar. Allow it to settle, strainit, pour on other water, rub it again, and do thisrepeatedly until it is pure and unadulterated. Then dry itin the sun and put it in jars and use it. If you want to burnit, do it as follows. Pound as much of it as you need, put itin a platter, set it over light coals, and repeat theprocedure previously explained about burning.Chrysocolla is able to wear off scars, and repress fleshyabnormal growths, and it is cleansing, astringent,warming, gently corrosive and a little biting. It is one ofthe medicines that cause vomiting and are strong enough to kill.

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5-105. ARMENION

SUGGESTED: Armenian Stone — blue Copper Carbonate

Armenium must be chosen which is smooth, an azure[blue] colour, very even, without stones, and very

brittle. It does the same things as chrysocolla [above], onlyit is not as strong. It is also increases hairs on the eyelids.

5-106. KUANOS

SUGGESTED: Cyanochroite — blue hydrous Sulphate ofCopper and Potassium

Cyanus, formed from brass minerals, is found inCyprus. The largest quantity is made from sand at

the shore that is found near some hollow places of thesea, like burrows. This is also the best. That which has afull colour must be chosen. It is burnt like chalcitis[calcium carbonate] and washed like cadmia [5-84]. It hasthe ability to repress, is a little corrosive, forms scabs, andis ulcerating.

5-107. INDIKON

SUGGESTED: Indigofera tinctoria, Indigofera indica, Indigofera linifolia, Indigofera viscosa — Indigo Plant,

Dyer’s Indigo Plant

Indicum forms of its own accord because it seems to bethe froth of Indian reeds. The other forms during the

dyeing when the purple flowers collect on the dye vats.The workmen take them off and dry them. The best isazure [blue], juicy and smooth. It is gently astringent,breaks inflammation and oedema, and purges andrepresses ulcers.

5-108. OCHRA

SUGGESTED: Ochre

Ochre must be chosen which is light and yellow, with a rich colour, unstony, and brittle. That from

798

METALLIC STONES

Athens is like this. We must burn and wash it like cadmia[5-84]. It is an astringent for putrefying sores, dissolvesinflammation and small swellings, represses abnormalgrowths of flesh, fills up sores and wounds (used withwax ointments), and diminishes calluses.

5-109. KINNABARI

SUGGESTED: red crystalline Mercuric Sulphide — Cinnabar

Some think cinnabar is the same as that which is calledammium, but are deceived in this. Ammium is made in

Spain from a certain stone mixed with Arguritidic sand,and otherwise it is unknown. In the furnace it changesinto a very lively and flaming colour. It has among metalsa choking smell, and therefore the workmen there putbladders around their faces that they may see but notinhale the vapour. The painters use this for thesumptuous adornings of walls.

Cinnabar (which we speak of) is brought from Africa,and sold for so much and is so scarce that it is withdifficulty enough for the painters for variety in their lines. It is also a heavy or deep colour, as a result some thoughtit was the blood of dragons. Cinnabar has the sameproperties as haematite, good for eye medicines and even more effectively, for it is more astringent and bloodstaunching. Taken with wax ointments it heals burns and pustules that break out.

5-110. UDRAGUROS

SUGGESTED: Hydrargyrum — Argentum vivum — Mercury — Quicksilver

TOXIC

Hydrargyrum is made from ammion, which is alsoincorrectly called cinnabar [above]. They place an

iron spoon containing ammion in a ceramic pot, cover thecup daubing it all around with clay, then make a fireunderneath with coals. The soot that sticks to the pot isscraped off and cooled and becomes hydrargyrum. It isalso found in places where silver is smelted, gatheredtogether in drops on the roofs. Some say that hydrargyrum

799


is found by itself in the mines. It is kept in glass, lead, tinor silver jars for it eats through all other matter and runsout. It is destructive. Taken as a drink it eats through theinternal organs by its weight. This is helped if a lot of milkis taken as a drink, or wine with wormwood [3-26], adecoction of smallage, seeds of Salvia horminum,origanum, or hyssop [3-30] with wine. (Gold dust, that is,the smallest scraping, is a miraculous help forhydrargyrum poisoning).

5-111. MILTOS SINOPIKE

SUGGESTED: Red Ochre from Sinope

The best rubrica Sinopica is thick and heavy, with abright colour, without stones, and all one colour,

spreading out much when dissolved. It is gathered inCappadocia from certain hollows. It is purified, carried tothe city Sinope (from which it has its name) and sold. It isdrying and adhesive; as a result it is mixed with woundplasters and drying astringent tablets. Taken in an egg oras a suppository it stops the intestines. It is also given forliver disorders.

5-112. TEKTONIKE

SUGGESTED: Red Ochre

Tectonic [red ochre] is inferior in every respect to theSinopic. The Egyptian and Carthaginian are the best

— without stones and brittle. It is also found in Spaintowards the West. Ochre is burnt and turns into redochre.

5-113. LEMNIA GE

SUGGESTED: Lemnian Earth

Lemnian earth is brought from the Island Lemnos outof a certain hollow cavern in a marshy place. It is

gathered from there and mixed with goats’ blood, andthe men there make it into tablets, seal it with the figureof a goat and call it the seal of a goat. Taken as a drink

800

METALLIC STONES

with wine it is a very powerful antidote against deadlypoisons, and taken beforehand it forces one to vomit uppoisons. It is good against strikes and bites fromvenomous or poisonous beasts. It is mixed withantidotes. Some use it for purifications, and it is also goodfor dysentery.

5-114. CHALKANTHON

SUGGESTED: Calcanthum — Limestone

There is a single type of calcanthum formed bymoisture into a solid. It has three different forms. The

moisture that strained by dripping into certain caves isformed into a solid from which those who work theCypnan metals call stillatitium. Petesius calls it pinarium,and some call it stalacticon [coalesced, boiled, thin, longlike a spear]. Some runs secretly in hollows, andafterwards is transported into ditches and thickens, andthis is called pecton.

The third sort is called coctile and is made in Spain. Ithas the following method of manufacture, but is uselessand the weakest. They dilute it in boiling water, and thenpour it out into receptacles to let it stand. After some daysthis is thickened and divides into many cubic formshanging together like grape bunches. The best is azurecoloured [blue], heavy, compact and transparent, such asthe stillatitium that is also called lanceatum. The next bestis concretitium. Coctile is thought to be the fittest fordyeing and making colours black, but experience showsthat it is the weakest for medicinal use. It is astringent —two teaspoonfuls are swallowed or licked with honey towarm, form scabs, and to kill broadworms. It causesvomiting and helps those who have eaten mushrooms,taken as a drink with water. Diluted with water anddropped into the nostrils through wool it purges thehead. It is burnt, as we will show [below] in calcitis.

801


5-115. CHALKITIS

SUGGESTED: Calcite — Anhydrous Carbonate of Lime, Calcium Carbonate

Calcitis is preferred which looks like brass, brittle,without stones, and is not old, and furthermore with

somewhat long glittering veins. It is astringent, warmingand scab forming, purging away filth around the eyecorners and the eyes. It is one of those things that aremildly astringent. It is good (with the juice of a leek) forerysipela [streptococcal skin infection], herpes [viral skininfection], and discharges of blood from the womb andnostrils. The powder of it is good for repressing abnormal growths on the gums, and gangrenous ulceration of thecheeks and tonsils. Burnt, pounded into small pieces andmixed with honey, it is far more effective for eyemedicines. It reduces and cleans rough eyelids that havegrown hard, and put in like a suppository it takes awayfistulas [ulcers].

5-116. PSORIKON

SUGGESTED: Calcium Carbonate & Cadmium Earth — Psoricum

Psoricum is made of two parts of calcitis [calciumcarbonate] mixed with one of cadmia [5-84], and

pounded into small pieces with vinegar. It must betightly shut up in a ceramic jar covered in dung for fortydays, in the hottest days, so it becomes sharper, and it isgood for whatever calcitis is. Some mix the materials inequal proportions, beat them in wine, and do the same asbefore. They burn it by placing it in a new ceramic jar andsetting it over burning coals. Measure the burning thisway: those full of moisture must become without bubbles and perfectly dry, and the rest must change into a moreflourishing colour. When it is like blood (or red ochre)deep within, then it must be taken off. Blow off the filthon top of it and put it in jars. It is roasted on coals that areblown [with bellows] until it becomes a pale yellow, or ina ceramic pot over burning coals and turned often until itis on fire and changes colour.

802

METALLIC STONES

5-117. MISU

SUGGESTED: Misy — Copiapite — yellow translucent Hydrous Silicate of Iron

Cyprian misy must be chosen — looking like gold,hard, and if broken a golden colour, glistening like a

star. It has the same strength as chalcitis [5-115], and isburnt the same way without psoricum [5-116] beingproduced from it, differing both in excess and defect.That from Egypt (compared to others) is the best andmost effective, but for eye medicines it is not comparableto that previously mentioned.

5-118. MELANTHERIA

UNKNOWN

Melanteria grows together in the manner of salt at the mouths of mines out of which brass is dug, and

some comes from the earthy upper surfaces of theseplaces. Some is also found that is dug out in Cilicia and incertain other places. The best is a sulphurous colour[yellow], smooth, even and clear, and on touching waterit quickly turns black. It is sharp like misy [above].

5-119. SORU

UNKNOWN

Some are deceived, supposing sory to be melanteria[above], for it is a different thing though not unlike.

Sory is more poisonous and causes nausea. It is found inEgypt and in other places such as Africa, Spain andCyprus. The Egyptian is considered the best — thatwhich looks blackest when broken, has many holes, issomewhat fat, and also astringent and poisonous to tasteor smell, overturning the stomach. That which does notglisten when broken (like misy) is thought to be anotherkind and weak. It has the same properties as thosementioned above and is burnt like them. It healstoothaches (put into their cavities) and strengthens looseteeth. Given as a suppository with wine it helps sciatica,and smeared on with water it extinguishes varos

803


[smallpox pustules]. It is mixed [with other ingredients]for dying hair black. As a general rule, for these andalmost all others, those which are not burnt areconsidered to be stronger than the burnt; except for salt,wine sediment, saltpetre [potassium nitrate], chalk, andother similar things which are weak raw, but are moreeffective burnt.

5-120. DIPHRUGES

SUGGESTED: Pyrites — Disilphide of Iron

It is thought that there are three kinds of diphryges. Oneis a mineral and is found only in Cyprus. It is dirty and

is taken out of the bottom of places there. After beingtaken out it is dried in the sun, then small brushy sticksare laid all around it and it is burnt. It is called diphrygesbecause it is dried and burnt and (as it were) roasted inthe sun amid the sticks.

Another is (as it were) the sediment and dregs ofworked brass, for after pouring around the cold water (aswe explained when discussing flower of brass) and aftertaking away the brass, there is found stuff such as this inthe furnace sticking to the bottom of it, with both theastringent quality and taste of brass.

The third sort is made as follows. The supervisorsplace stones called pyrites into a furnace and they burn it(as they do chalk) for many days. When the colourbecomes like red ochre they take it out and put it in jars.Some say that this sort is only made from by-products ofpurfiying brass. This is heated in the furnaces, carriedfrom there into the ditches and burnt there, for it isdeposited around the ditches and is found after takingaway the stones. The best of it is brassy to the taste, looksrusty, and is astringent and excessively drying to thetongue. This quality the burnt ochre does not possess,though some burn it and sell it instead of diphryges. It isastringent, cleans thoroughly, wipes away, dries,represses abnormal growths of the flesh, and forms newskins on malignancies and creeping sores. Taken withturpentine or wax ointments it dissolves abscesses.

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METALLIC STONES

5-121. ARSENIKON

SUGGESTED: Orpiment — Yellow Arsenic, Realgar — Arsenic disulphide

POISONOUS

Arsenicum is found in the same mines as sandaracha [?][5-122]. The best is crusty, gold in colour and with

crusts like fish scales (as it were) lying one over another,and it is not mixed with any other material. That which isfound in Mysia (which is in Hellespont) is like this.

There are two kinds: one as mentioned, and the otherin clumps and like sandaracha in colour. It is brought fromPontus and Cappadocia. It is roasted as follows: place it in a new ceramic jar, set it over burning coals and stir itcontinuously; and when it is red-hot and has changedcolour, cool it, beat it finely, and put it in jars. It isantiseptic, astringent, and scab forming with a burning,strong, biting strength, and it is one of those medicinesthat repress abnormal growths and make the hair fall out.

5-122. SANDARACHE

SUGGESTED: Sandarac — Arar Tree, Sandarach Tree Callitris quadrivalvus, Thuya articulata — Juniper GumTree

5-121 indicates however, this sandarac is a mineral, not a gum.

Sandarac is most highly valued which is fully red,brittle, easily pounded into small pieces, and pure —

looking like cinnabar [5-109] in colour, and also having asulphurous smell. It has the same properties and methodof roasting as arsenicum. Used with rosin it heals loss ofhair [alopecia], and with pitch it removes leprous nails. It is good with oil for lice infestations, and with grease itdissolves small swellings. It is also good with rosaceum forulcers in the nostrils and mouth, and for other pustules[1-53], as well as for venereal warts. It is given with mead[honey wine] to those who spit up rotten matter, and it ismade into an inhalant with rosin for old coughs, thesmoke drawn through a funnel into the mouth. Licked inwith honey it clears the voice, and it is given with rosin ina catapotion [pill] to the asthmatic.

805


5-123. STUPTERIA

SUGGESTED: Aluminium Sulphate, Potassium Sulphate — Alum

Almost every kind of allom is found in the same minesin Egypt, such as the scissile [capable of being cut or

divided] (as it were) and the flower of Bolitis. It is alsofound in certain other places — in Melos, Macedonia,Sardinia, Liparis, and Hierapolis in Phrygia, in Africa,Armenia, and many other places (like red ochre). Thereare many kinds of it; but for medicinal use the scissile, theround, and the moist are taken. The scissile is the best —especially that which is new, white, without stones, witha strong smell, very astringent, and furthermore notcompacted together like turf or slate, but opening itsmouth wide like gray hairs spread-apart, such as thatcalled trichitis, found in Egypt. A stone very like it is alsofound, discernable by its not astringent taste.

The round allom that is made by hand should not betaken. It is known by its shape; but that to be taken isnaturally round, full of bladders, somewhat white, andstrongly binding, and also has some paleness togetherwith fattiness, and additionally it is both without stonesand brittle, and it originates in Melia or Egypt.

Moist [alum] that is most transparent must be chosen— milky, even, and juicy throughout, and furthermorewithout stones and giving out a smell of fire. It iswarming, astringent, and purges away those things thatdarken the eyesight and consume the flesh on theeyelids, and all other abnormal fleshy growths. Theyregard the scissile as more effective than the round. Theyare burnt and roasted like chalcitis [calcium carbonate].With vinegar or honey they restrain creeping ulcers, stopbloody discharges, close moist gums, and theystrengthen loose teeth. They are good with honey forapthae [aptylia — absence of saliva], and with juice ofpolygonum [knotgrass] for pustules and rheumaticdischarges in the ears. They are good with brassica leaves(or boiled with honey) for leprosy; and are applied withhot cloths and water for itches, rotten nails, pterygium[membrane on eye], and chilblains. With vinegarsediment (rubbed on with the same amount of burnt galls [oak galls]) they are good for eating ulcers. They are used

806

METALLIC STONES

with twice as much salt for gangrenous ulceration, andsmeared on with ervum [2-129, 2-131] and moist pitchthey wear off dandruff. Rubbed on with water it is aremedy for nits, lice and burns. They are smeared on foroedema and bad smells in the armpits and groins. Allomfrom Melos (laid at the mouth of the womb before sexualintercourse) also prevents conception and it is anabortifacient. It is expedient for abnormal growths on thegums, as well as for the uvula, tonsils, and the mouth,and is smeared on with honey for the ears and genitals.

5-124. THEION

SUGGESTED: Sulphur

The best sulphur is thought to have never felt fire andis glistening in colour, transparent, and without

stones. The best of that which has felt the fire is green and very fat. It is abundant in Melos and Lipara. The first typeof sulphur dissolves and ripens quickly. Taken in an egg(or else the smoke inhaled) it is good for coughs, thosewho spit rotten matter, and the asthmatic. Furthermore,the smoke is inhaled as an abortifacient; and mixed withterminthos [1-91] rosin it takes off leprosy, lichen [skindisease with red pustules] and rotten nails. Smeared onwith vinegar it is also good for leprosy and takes awayvitiligines [form of leprosy]. Mixed with rosin it healsscorpion strikes, and with vinegar it heals strikes from sea dragons [2-15] as well as scorpions. Rubbed on withsaltpetre [potassium nitrate] it soothes itching all over the body. A spoonful sprinkled on the forehead (or takenwith an undercooked egg) helps jaundice, and is good for the nose and catarrh. Sprinkled on, it keeps one fromsweating, and smeared on with saltpetre [potassiumnitrate] and water it is convenient for gout. The smokefrom it drawn up (quickly) through a funnel cureshardness of hearing. The smoke is inhaled for lethargy,and it stops excessive discharges of blood. Smeared onwith wine and honey it heals bruises on the ears.

807


5-125. KISSERIS

SUGGESTED: Pumice Stone

Pumice stone should be chosen which is very light,very hollow, easily cut, without stones, and

furthermore both brittle and white. It is burnt as follows.Take as much of it as you wish, hide it in burning coals,and when it is red-hot, take it out, quench it with fragrantwine, then burn it and quench it again. The third timeyou take it off, leave it alone to cool, and put it in jars touse. It is able to tighten and cleanse the gums, purgeaway things that darken the eyesight with warming, fillup ulcers and form new skins on them, and furthermore,pounded to powder, it is able to repress abnormalgrowths and clean the teeth. It forms scabs over any soreson the body, and is a suitable medicine to remove hair.Theophrastus says that if one puts pumice stone into a jar of boiling wine that the boiling immediately stops.

5-126. ALES

SUGGESTED: Salts — Sodium Chloride, Ammonium Salts

Mineral salt is the most useful — usually that whichis without stones, white, transparent, thick and

equally compacted — as well as ammonia salts, which are easily cut and have straight edges. Thick sea salt must betaken, white and even. The best is from Salamine inCyprus, Megara, Sicily, and Africa. Salt from the lakes inthese places is considered the best. The Phrygian is thestrongest, also called Tattaean. These salts all have similar properties — useful as an astringent, and to clean anddissolve, as well as repress, reduce the intensity ofsymptoms, and form scabs — only differing slightly.They are binding for rotten ulcers, mixed with sebaceoustreatments for psoriasis, repress abnormal growths in theeyes, and consume pterygium [membrane on eye]. Theytake away other abnormal growths, are fit to put insuppositories, and smeared on with oil they removeweariness and oedema from dropsy. Warm packs aremade from them in little bags to ease pain, and rubbed on by the fire with oil and vinegar (until the person sweats)they lessen itching. In the same way (rubbed on with

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METALLIC STONES

honey and vinegar) they lessen lichen [skin disease withred pustules], parasitical skin diseases, leprosy, and asynanchic [abscessed] throat. For the tonsils andadenoids they are roasted with honey, and for spreadingulcers, apthas [small ulcers], and moisture of the gumsthey are applied burnt with polenta. For the strikes ofscorpions they are used with flax seed; for the bites ofvipers with origanum, honey and hyssop [3-30]; for thehorned viper with pitch, cedria [1-105] or honey; and forthe bites of centipedes or millipedes with honey andvinegar. For wasp stings, gnawing worms, whitepustules in the head, the thymus, and tubercles[growths] they take it with calves’ suet. With raisins,swines’ grease or honey they dissolve boils[inflammatory tumours]; and with origanum andfermented dough they ripen oedema of the genitalssooner. They help those bitten by crocodiles, poundedinto small pieces and bound in a linen cloth dipped invinegar and then bound to the wounds with bandages. With honey they help those bitten by venomouscreatures, and bruises on the face. As an antidote fordrinking the juice of poppy or eating mushrooms it istaken as a drink with vinegar and honey. They are usedfor dislocations with meal and honey; and applied withoil do not allow burns to blister. Salts are similarly applied to gout and earache with vinegar. Smeared on withvinegar (or applied as a poultice with hyssop [3-30]) theystop erysipela [streptococcal skin infection] and creepingulcers. They burn salts by throwing them into an ostracean[clay] jar, carefully closed so that they may not leap out,and then hidden in live coals until fully burnt. Somewrap the sales fossiles [mineral salt] with dough, place itunder hot coals, and leave it alone until the dough hasburnt. You may burn common salts as follows; washthem once in water and allow them to dry, then put theminto a corked ceramic pot and make a fire underneath,shaking the pot until the salt no longer leaps.

5-127. ALOS ACHNE

SUGGESTED: Sea Froth

Spuma salis are fragments of the foaming sea found onthe little rocks, and it has the same properties as salt.

809


5-128. ALME

SUGGESTED: Muriates — Chloride Salts

Muria has the same action as ordinary salts incleansing, and it is a suppository for dysentery

with gangrenous ulceration, and those with a history ofsciatica. It is good in warm packs where seawater iseffective.

5-129. ALOS ANTHOS

SUGGESTED: Mineral Salts

Flowers of salt [precipitated solids] flow down from theriver Nile and collect on certain lakes. That like

saffron in colour must be taken. It has a somewhat badscent like garum [Roman sauce made from fermentedfish], sometimes smelling worse; more biting to the tasteand somewhat fat. That coloured with red ochre (or hasclots) is considered worthless. The pure salts are onlydissolved by oil, the adulterated partly by water. It isgood for malignancies, spreading erosive ulcers,gangrenous ulcers on the genitals, purulent ears, anddullness of sight, and it takes off scars and cataracts. It ismixed with plasters and ointments to colour them, aswell as with rosaceum [1-53]. Taken with wine and water it promotes sweating, disturbs the intestines, and is bad forthe stomach. It is also mixed with remedies for theremoval of fatigue, and with sebaceous treatments forreducing the intensity of symptoms of the scalp, and ingeneral it is as sharply burning as other salts.

5-130. NITRON

SUGGESTED: Saltpetre — Potassium Nitrate

Nitre is preferred which is smooth and rosy or whitein colour, with holes through as though it were

some spongy thing, like that which is brought from Buni.It has an ability to fetch fluids from the depths.

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METALLIC STONES

5-131. NITROU APHROS

SUGGESTED: Potassium Nitrate — Saltpetre — Spuma Nitri

The best spuma nitri is esteemed to be the lightest —crusty, brittle, and drawing to a purple, frothy, and

moreover biting. Such as this is brought fromPhiladelphia in Lydia. Next to this is that from Egypt. It isalso found in Magnesia which is in Caria, and both thisand nitre [above] have a similar burning strength, likesalt. Furthermore, pounded into small pieces with cumin, and taken as a drink with honey water (or sapa [syrupednew wine], or some things to dissolve wind such as rue[3-52, 3-53, 4-98] or dill [3-67]) it soothes griping. It is a fitointment for those troubled with recurrent fevers, givenbefore the suspected time of the fit coming. It is mixedwith dissolving and drawing plasters good for leprosy,and with things that relieve. Infused with warm water orwine it heals gaseousness, as well as noises in the ears and their suppurations. Dropped in the ears with vinegar ittakes away their filth. With ass or swine grease it healsdog bites. It opens boils [inflammatory tumours] takenwith termininthos [5-39]; and with figs it is a poultice fordropsy. Smeared on with honey it is a sight restorer, andit is good (taken as a drink with posca [hot drinks]) for theingestion of mushrooms [antidote]. It is given againstbupressedis [buprestidae — beetles, harmful to cattle] withwater, and for bulls’ blood with silphium [3-94]. It is aneffective poultice for those in atrophy, and is used withwax ointment for tetanus sufferings that cause someweakening, and for purifying baths. It is effective mixedin their bread for those who have palsy in the tongue.Some burn these salts, setting them on burning coals (anew clay jar first placed under) until completely burnt.

5-132. TRUX

SUGGESTED: Sediment of Wine, Sediment of Vinegar

Especially that sediment from old Italian wine must be chosen, and if not some other like it, because that

from vinegar is excessively strong. It is burnt likealcyonium [5-136] but first dried carefully. Some place it innew clay (jars) and burn it in a great fire until it is burnt

811


quite through. Similarly, others hide the mass (ofsediment) in burning coals. It is a sign that it is completely burnt when it is white or the colour of air. This, applied tothe tongue, burns it. The sediment of vinegar is burnt thesame way. It is extremely burning, cleans and forms newskins; it is astringent, and extremely corrosive anddrying. We must use sediment that is new, for it quicklyevaporates and should be kept in jars — neveruncovered, nor without a jar. It is washed the same aspompholyx [crude zinc oxide]. That which is not burntrestrains oedema (both by itself or with myrtle [1-155,4-146]), and applied it stops the intestines and flowingstomach. It soothes women's excessive discharges[menstrual flow] applied to the lower part of theintestines and the genitals. It dissolves inflammation inbones and lesser swellings that are not yet ulcerated.Rubbed on with vinegar it reduces swollen breasts thatrun out with milk. Burnt with rosin it takes off rottennails, and it is smeared on with lentiscine [1-90] oil for awhole night to make hair yellow. It is washed and mixedwith eye medicines like spodium [calcinated powder], and this removes scars and darkness in the eyes.

5-133. ASBESTOS

SUGGESTED: Quicklime — Calx Viva

Asbestos refers to `the unquenchable stone’ — the action of cold water onquicklime.

Calx viva is made as follows. Take the shells of seacreatures called buccinae [whelks], cover them in the

fire or place them into a thoroughly hot oven, and letthem remain there all night and the next day. If they have turned very white take them out, but if not, repeat untilthey are white. Afterwards dip them in cold water andput them into a new pot, corked carefully with cloths.Leave them in there for one night and in the morningtake them out, and after it has been refined, put it in jars.It is also made from flints or pebble stones that are burnt,and from common marble, which is also preferred. Allcalx in common is fiery, biting, burning and scab forming.Mixed with certain other things such as grease or oil, it

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METALLIC STONES

becomes digestive, softening and dissipating, formingnew skins. They regard the newest and that which wasnever wet to be the most effective.

5-134. GUPSOS

SUGGESTED: Gypsum — Plaster of Paris

Gypsum is astringent, closes pores, and restrainsbleeding and sweating. Taken in a drink it chokes

by constriction.

5-135. TEPHRA KLEMATINE

SUGGESTED: Ash from twigs or prunings

Cinis sarmentitius is caustic. Smeared on with goosegrease or oil it is good for bruised sinews, dislocated

joints and knotted nerves. With saltpetre [potassiumnitrate] and vinegar it represses fleshy abnormal growths in the scrotum, and smeared on with vinegar it heals thebites of snakes or dogs. It is mixed with scab-formingmedicines. Lye is made from it, good for precipitations[antidotes to mercury poisoning], and [the effects of]mushrooms, used with vinegar, salt and honey.

5-136. ALKUONION

SUGGESTED: Alcyonium — Zoophyte — Bastard Sponge

There are five kinds of alcyonium. One kind is thickwith a sour taste. It looks like a sponge, is poisonous

and heavy, and smells of fish. A lot of this is found on theshores. The next is shaped like pterygium [membrane] ofthe eyes, and is light and hollow in many places, or like asponge and with a smell like seaweed. The third isshaped like a little worm, a deeper purple in colour, andis called milesium. The fourth is like unwashed wool,hollow in many places, and light. The fifth is the shape ofa mushroom, without smell, and rough, somewhat like apumice stone within, but smooth and sharp outside.Quantities of it are found in Propontis around the islandcalled Besbicum, in which country they call it the foam of

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the sea. Of these, the first and second are included insebaceous treatments for women, and for freckles, lichen[papular skin disease], leprosy, vitiligines [form ofleprosy], black patches, and spots on the face and the restof the body. The third is suitable to use for dysuria[frequent painful urination], those who gather gravellystones in the bladder, kidney disorders, dropsy andspleen. Burnt and smeared on with wine it thickens theloss of hair [alopecia]. The last type is able to whiten teeth.It is mixed with salt and included in other sebaceoustreatments and psilothra [treatments for loss of hair]. Ifyou want to burn any of these put it with salt into anunfired clay pot, and having sealed around the mouth ofit with clay, put it into a furnace. When the clay pot hasbaked enough take it out, put it in jars, and use it. It iswashed like cadmia [5-84].

5-137. ADARKES

SUGGESTED: Potassium Sulphate — Arcanum Duplicatum

IRRITANT, CATHARTIC

That which is called adarces grows in Galatia and it is(as it were) a somewhat salty hardened fluid, coming

out of moist and marshy places in times of drought andadhering to reeds and grass. It is like the flower [salt] of the stone of Asia in colour, but in its whole shape likealcyonium [5-136], soft and hollow in many places (and asit were) alcyonium palustre [bastard sponges of themarshes]. It suitable used for stripping off leprosy,freckles, lichenae [skin disease], and other similar things.In brief, it is sharp, drawing fluids from depths, and it isgood for sciatica.

5-138. SPOGGOI

SUGGESTED: Sponges

Sponges are sometimes called males when they arethick and full of small holes. The hardest of these they

have named tragi. The others are called females and aredifferent. They are burnt the same way as alcyonium[5-136]. Those empty and without fat are good for

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METALLIC STONES

wounds, repress oedema, and with water or posca [hotdrinks] they seal new wounds; boiled with honey theyrejoin old wounds. Old sponges are of no use. Spongesopen contracted ulcers and calluses, bound with a threadand put in dry like tents. They dry up flowingundermining ulcers and old ulcers, applied dry, new andempty; and they restrain excessive discharges of blood.Burnt with vinegar they are good for dry sore eyes,anywhere there is need to clean, and are astringent foranything. They are better for eye medicines if they arewashed. Burnt with pitch they are good for excessivedischarges of blood. The softest of them are whitened inthe burning heat of summer, moistened with froth of saltstanding on the rocks, and placed in the sun. But takecare that the hollow side of them faces upward and thecut side is underneath. If it is clear summer weather theyare also moistened with froth of salt or seawater and setout under the moon. These are the whitest.

5-139. KORALLION

SUGGESTED: Coral

Coral seems to be a sea plant which hardens when it is drawn out of the deep — taken out of the sea and as

it were, dipped into the air flowing all around us. Greatamounts of it are found in the promontory calledPachynum near Syracuse. The best is red like sandarac[5-122] or sandyx [ancient red pigment], a very intensecolour. This is easy to pound; even [textured] throughout its whole concretion, with a mossy smell like littleseaweed, and with many branches, imitating cinnamonin the form of little shrubs. That hardened like stone,rough, without colour, hollow and loose, is thought to beworthless. By its strength it is therapeutic for the bowels,cools gently, represses abnormal growths, takes off scarson the eyes, fills up hollow sores and cracks, workseffectively against spitting up blood, is good for frequentpainful urination, and (taken as a drink with water)reduces the spleen. Some have called it lithodendron[stone tree].

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5-140. ANTIPATHES

SUGGESTED: Black Coral

Antipathes is thought to be coral with a specificdifference: it is black in colour. This is also like a tree

only more branched, and it has the same strength as thatmentioned above.

5-141. PHRUGIOS LITHOS

UNKNOWN

The Phrygian stone the dyers in Phrygia use (hence itsname) is found in Cappadocia. The best is pale and

mildly heavy, not firm from compaction, with partitionsof white in-between like cadmia [5-84]. The stone is burntas follows. Moisten it with the best wine, cover it with live coals, and blow on it continuously. When it changescolour to a more deep yellow, take it out, quench it withthe same wine, place it into the coals again, then do thesame things and burn it a third time, taking care that itdoes not crumble and vanish into soot. Both raw andburnt it is effective with stiff ointment for binding,cleaning, forming scabs, and healing burns. It is washedlike cadmia [5-84].

5-142. ASIOS LITHOS

UNKNOWN

Asian stone should be taken which is like pumicestone in colour — spongy, light and brittle, with

yellowish partitions at the bottom. The flower [salt] of it isthe yellowish salt fluid which gathers on the outside ofthe stones, which is thin in consistency and sometimeswhite in colour, sometimes like pumice stone, inclining to a yellow. Applied to the tongue it bites a little. Both ofthem are astringent, corrode gently, and dissolve smallswellings used with terminthos [1-91] rosin or liquid pitch,and the flower [salt] is considered the strongest.Furthermore, dried, it heals old hard-to-close ulcers,represses abnormal fleshy growths, and with honey itcleans those like mushrooms, and wild ulcers. It fills the

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METALLIC STONES

hollow sores of ulcers and cleans them with honey, andmixed with wax ointment it stops feeding ulcers. For gout it is used in plasters with bean meal, and for the spleenwith vinegar and unslaked lime [quicklime — calx viva].The flower [salt] (licked in with honey) is good fortuberculosis of the lungs. Stone baths are made from thisinto which the gouty put in their feet and are helped, andcoffins are made of it that dissolve flesh. It relieves veryfleshy and thick bodies [weight loss] smeared on insteadof saltpetre [potassium nitrate] in a bath. If you want towash it do it in the same way as cadmia [5-84].

5-143. PURITES LITHOS

SUGGESTED: Pyrites — Iron Disilphide

Pyrites is a kind of stone from which brass is made.That with a look like brass and which readily sends

out sparks should be taken. It is burnt as follows. Moistenit with honey, put it into a soft coal fire, and blow on itcontinuously until it becomes a yellowish colour. Someput the stone (well moistened with honey) into many hotburning coals, then when it begins to change to a tawnyyellow they take it off, blow off the ashes, moisten it, andburn it again until it becomes very brittle throughout. Forit is often burnt only on the outside. They burn it like this,dry it, and put it in jars. It should be washed like cadmia[5-84] if there is a need to wash it. Either burnt or raw it iswarming and purging, cleaning away things that darkenthe sight, and dissolving and ripening hard lumps. Taken with rosin it represses abnormal fleshy growths bywarming a little and by its astringency. Some call burntpyrites, diphryges [above].

5-144. AIMATITES LITHOS

SUGGESTED: Haematite — Iron Sesquioxide

The best haematite stone is brittle and has a deepcolour, or is black and hard and even, not containing

any impurities or veins. It is astringent, somewhatwarming, and reduces the intensity of symptoms. Withhoney it wears off scars and scabs on the eyes. Withwoman’s milk it helps sore eyes and broken bloodshot

817


eyes. It is taken in a drink with wine for painful urination, and women’s discharges [menstrual flow] withpomegranate juice, and for spitting-up blood. Eye salvesare made of it, and suppositories and touchstonessuitable for eye complaints. It is burnt like Phrygian[dyer's] stone, only the wine omitted. It is properly burntwhen it is mildly light and swollen up with bubbles.Some counterfeit it as follows. They take a piece ofschistus [crystalline laminated rock], thick and round(such as those called the roots of it) and cover it in abig-bellied earthen jar containing hot ash. Then theyleave it a little while, take it out, and rub it on atouchstone testing whether it has taken the colour ofhaematites, and if it has they put it in jars. If not they coverit again, continuously looking at it and testing it, for if lefttoo long in the ashes it changes colour and dissolves. That which is adulterated is confirmed first by the veinsrunning through it, for this is has straight veins buthaematites does not; then by the colour for this has abright colour, the haematites a deeper one like cinnabar[5-109]. It is also found in Sinopican red ochre, andhaematites is made from lodestone [magnetic oxide ofiron] burnt very well; but that which occurs naturally isdug out of mines in Egypt.

5-145. SCHISTOS LITHOS

SUGGESTED: Crystalline Laminated Rock

Schistos stone is found in Spain towards the west. Thatwhich looks like saffron in colour seems to be the best

— brittle, easy to clean, compacted like amoniacum salt,with similar veins. It has the same uses as haematite onlywith less strength. Diluted with women’s milk it fills uphollow sores, and it is very effective for hernia, prolapseof the eyes, thickness of the eyelids, and staphylomata[protrusion of the cornea].

5-146. GAGATES LITHOS

SUGGESTED: Gagate — Jet or Agate

Gagates is preferred which is kindled quickly andsmells like bitumen. It is commonly black,

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METALLIC STONES

unattractive, crusty and very light. It softens anddissolves. If the smoke is inhaled it induces epilepsy andcalms women who are hysterical. It is mixed withmedicines for gout and those to remove fatigue, andsmoke from it drives away snakes. It is found in Cilicia ata certain fall of the river flowing into the sea near the citycalled Plagiopolis. The place and the river at the mouth of which these stones are found are called Gagas. (They saythat it discerns holy suffering, for if smelt when carrieddown to the earth they fall suddenly. Perfumed, it healshidden disorders of women if they take in the vapour.)

5-147. THRAKIAS LITHOS

UNKNOWN

Thracius is found in Scythia near the river Pontus. Itcan perform the same cures as gagates [above] and it

is said to be set on fire with water and quenched with oil,which is also done with asphalt [bitumen — asphalt —mineral pitch].

5-148. MAGNES

SUGGESTED: Magnetite — Magnetic Iron Oxide

That lodestone which draws iron easily is the best,with an azure colour [blue], and thick but not too

heavy. It is able to draw out thick fluids if thirty grains aregiven with honey and water. (They say that this candiscern a woman who is chaste from one that plays theadulteress with another man, for if it is placed secretly onthe bed of a chaste woman who loves her husband, shewhen overcome with sleep, with a certain naturalstrength from the stone, opens her hands towards herhusband and lies close to him. The other, troubled indreams with foul labours, falls out of bed. When two men carry this, it frees them from all strife and causesharmony, and when worn on the chest it soothes people).

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5-149. ARABIKOS LITHOS

UNKNOWN

Arabicus stone is like a piece of ivory. Pounded intosmall pieces and smeared on it dries up

haemorrhoids, and burnt it is a dentifrice for the teeth.

5-150. GALAKTITES LITHOS

UNKNOWN

This is called galactites because it exudes milky stuff. Itis like ash in colour and sweet to the taste. It is good

rubbed on for discharges and ulcers of the eyes. It isnecessary that those who beat it in water put it in jars in alead box because of its glueyness.

5-151. MELITITES LITHOS

SUGGESTED: Melelite — Calcium Silicate, Aluminum Silicate

Melitites is like galactites [above] in all respects,differing only in that it exudes a sweeter liquid. It is

effective for the same things as galactites. It is also calledgalactites and lethaeus because men carrying it and goingto their own masters find them well disposed andforgetful of wrongs (often committed). When the milk ofgoats and sheep dry up it helps the little flock if it isbeaten finely and mixed with brine. They say thatpounded and taken as a drink it can do the same forwomen to produce milk. They say that bound around the neck of an infant it keeps him free from envy anddiseases, and keeps the infant from treachery, and thatboth kings and judges revere anyone that wears this, andthat they seem grandiose to all men.

5-152. MOROCHTHOS LITHOS

SUGGESTED: Moroxis — crystallised form of Apatite — Phosphate of Lime — Calcium Oxide

Morochthus stone (which some call galaxia orleucographis) is found in Egypt. Those who make

820

METALLIC STONES

linen use it for whitening cloth as it is soft and melting. Itis thought to close the pores, and is good taken as a drinkwith water for bloodspitters, the abdominal cavity, anddisorders of the bladder. The same is given for themenstrual flows of women, and also in a pessary. It ismixed with softening eye medicines as it fills up hollowsores and stops discharges. Used with wax ointment itforms a scar on the tenderness of ulcers.

5-153. ALABASTRITES LITHOS

SUGGESTED: Alabaster — Lime Sulphate

Onyx-banded quartz similar to Agate

Alabastrites stone (which is called onyx) used burntwith rosin or pitch dissolves hard lumps. With stiff

ointment it eases disorders of the stomach, and it istherapeutic for the gums.

5-154. THUITES LITHOS

SUGGESTED: Thyites — Turquoise

Thyites is found in Ethiopia. It is greenish like jasper[previously this was green chalcedony], and when

washed produces a milky colour. It is extremely biting,and is able to clean away things that darken the pupils.

5-155. IOUDAIKOS LITHOS

UNKNOWN

Judaican stone is found in Judaea, shaped like a glans[acorn], white, with a very handsome shape, and lines

parallel to one another as if made by turning. When it isdissolved, it yields no taste. An amount like a cicer [2-126],dissolved like a cream on a whetstone and taken withthree cupfuls of warm water as a drink can help painfulurination, and break stones in the bladder.

821


5-156. AMIANTOS LITHOS

SUGGESTED: Amianthus — Asbestos, fibrous green Chrysolite

Amiantus stone is found in Cyprus. It is like alumenscissile [5-123] which the workmen make webs of

cloth from for a show, because put into the fire they takeflame, but come out more bright, not burnt by the fire.

5-157. SAPHEIROS LITHOS

SUGGESTED: Sapphire — previously Lapis Lazuli — Alumina

Sapphire stone is thought to be good (taken in a drink)for those touched by scorpions. It is also taken in a

drink for internal ulcers and abnormal growths in theeyes; it represses adenoids [haemorrhoids?] andpustules, and rejoins herniated membranes.

5-158. MEMPHITES LITHOS

UNKNOWN

Memphitis stone is found in Egypt near Memphis —the size of a pebble, fat, and of various colours. It is

said that this (pounded into small pieces and smeared onany place that shall be cut or burnt), causes numbness[anaesthetic] without danger.

5-159. SELENITES LITHOS

SUGGESTED: Selenite — Moonstone — crystalline Lime Sulphate

Selenites stone some have called aphroselenon because itis found in the nighttime during the increase of the

moon. It is found in Arabia and is white, transparent andlight. They file it and give the dust in a drink to theepileptic. Women hang it about themselves as an amulet,and it is thought that bound to trees it makes them bearfruit.

822

METALLIC STONES

5-160. IASPIS LITHOS

SUGGESTED: Jasper — previously name for green Chalcedony

Some jaspis stone is like emerald and some like crystal,resembling phlegm; some like the air and some capnia

as we should say, smoky; and some called assyrius isglittering, with white middle partitions. Some is calledterebinthizusa as it is coloured like calais. All are said to beamulets used as personal ornaments, and to speeddelivery [in childbirth] tied to the thigh.

5-161. AETITES LITHOS

SUGGESTED: Eagle Stone — Iron Oxide

hollow nodule of argilaceous Iron Oxide with a loose nucleus

Aetites stone when shaken sends out a sound as if itwere pregnant with another stone. It prevents

miscarriage when the wombs are slippery, tied aroundthe left arm. At the time of delivery [in childbirth] take itfrom the arm and tie it around the thigh and she shallbring forth without pain. It exposes a thief if it is put intothe bread offered him, for he that stole is not able toswallow down the things chewed. They say that aetitesboiled together with meat will betray a thief, for he whostole shall not be able to swallow that which was boiledwith it. Pounded into small pieces and used in a waxointment made of cyprinum [1-65], gleucinum [1-67] orany of those things that warm, it helps epilepsyconsiderably.

5-162. OPHITES LITHOS

SUGGESTED: Serpentine

green metamorphic rock or marble

One kind of ophites stone is heavy and black, anotheran ashy colour distinguished with pricks, and

another with white lines. Any of them (tied about thebody) is good for snakebites and headaches. That withlines is reported to help lethargy and headaches inparticular.

823


5-163. LITHOI SPOGGON

SUGGESTED: Stones found in Sponges

Stones found in sponges (taken as a drink with wine)break stones in the bladder.

5-164. LITHOKOLLA

SUGGESTED: Lithocolla — Marble & Glue

literally glue stone

Lithocolla — a mixture of marble or Parian stone andbulls glue — used as a probe made red-hot is able to

turn back the eyelashes.

5-165. OSTRAKITES LITHOS

SUGGESTED: Fossilised Oyster Shells

Ostracites stone is like a shell, crusty and easy tobreak. Women use it instead of pumice stone for

taking off hair. A teaspoonful (taken as a drink with wine) stops the menstrual flow. If anyone drinks twoteaspoonfuls after the menstrual flow it preventsconception. Applied with honey it soothes inflamedbreasts, and stops gangrenous ulceration of the cheeks.

5-166. SMURIS LITHOS

SUGGESTED: opaque crystallised Alumina — Adamantine Spar— Emery, Corundum

Jewelers to polish their stones use Smyris lapis. It is goodfor antiseptic and caustic medicines, and for moist

gums and cleaning the teeth.

824

METALLIC STONES

5-167. AMMOS

SUGGESTED: Sand

Sand heated by the sun on the shores dries up themoisture of dropsy in bodies when they are covered

all over with it, except the head. It is roasted for dry warm packs instead of millet or salt.

5-168. AKONE

SUGGESTED: Whetstone

fine grained stone for sharpening blades

That which comes off the Naxian whetstone (wheniron is rubbed on it) fills up bald patches with hair,

and prevents maidens’ breasts growing big. Taken as adrink with vinegar it reduces the spleen, and is good forepilepsy.

5-169. GEODES LITHOS

SUGGESTED: Geodes

nodular stones with crystalline cavities

Geodes are astringent and drying, and take awaythings that darken the eyes. Smeared on [ground

up] with water they soothe inflammation of the breasts,and that from stones [urinary, kidney].

5-170. GE

SUGGESTED: Earth

All earth that falls within the scope of medicinal use issupremely useful for cooling, and for closing the

pores. There are various kinds, some good for otherthings in some preparations.

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5-171. ERETRIAS

SUGGESTED: Alkaline Earths; Baryta — Barium monoxide;Lime — Calcium oxide; Strontia — Strontium monoxide

Some Eretrian earth is considerably white and some isan ashy colour. The best is that which resembles ash

in colour, and is very soft, and when drawn along brassyields a violet line. It is washed like cerussa [white leadore] or as follows. Pound as much as you want of it intosmall pieces (first by itself and then with water) and let itsettle. Then strain out the moisture gently, dry the earthin the sun, beat it again for a whole day (adding water)and allow it to settle all night. About the break of daystrain it, pound it finely in the sun, and form it intotablets, as far as possible. If there is a need to roast it take(pieces) of earth the size of a cicer [2-126], put it into a clayjar of full of holes, and having corked the mouthcarefully, put it among lighted coals and blow on itcontinuously. When the ashes have turned into sparks(or rather become an airy colour), take it out and put it injars. It is astringent, cooling, and gently softening, fillingup hollow sores, and closing open cuts and bleedingwounds.

5-172. SAMIA

SUGGESTED: Alkaline Earths; Baryta — Barium monoxide;Lime — Calcium oxide; Strontia — Strontium monoxide;

Aster — Asteria — Asteriated Sapphire, Chrysoberyl

Samian earth is preferred which is very white andlight, and on touching the tongue holds it fast like

glue. Additionally it is full of liquid, soft and brittle, suchas that which some call collyrium [eye salve, suppository].There are two kinds; besides that previously mentionedthere is one called aster, crusty and thick like whetstone. It has the same properties and is burnt and broken likeeretrias [5-171]. It stops the spitting up of blood, and isgiven with flowers of wild pomegranate for women’smenstrual flows. Smeared on with water it soothesinflammation from stones [urinary, kidney], andinflammation of the breasts. Taken in a drink of water it

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represses sweating; it helps those bitten by venomouscreatures, and those who have taken a deadly medicine[antidote].

5-173. LITHOS SAMIOS

UNKNOWN

A certain stone is found in Samia that the goldsmithsuse to polish and make the gold glistening. The best

is white and heavy. It is astringent and cooling, good forstomach disorders in drinks, dulling the senses. It is goodwith milk for discharges and ulcers in the eyes, and it isthought to hasten delivery [childbirth], and preventmiscarriage in women that have conceived, tied aroundthem.

5-174. CHIA

SUGGESTED: Chian Earth — ? Bicarbonate of Soda

Earth also means metallic oxides i.e. Magnesia, Alumina, Zirconia.

Chian earth which is white and almost an ashy colourlike the Samian [above] should be used. It is crusty

and white and differs in the shape of its particles. It hasthe same properties as Samian earth. It makes the faceand the whole body without wrinkles and clear, andused in a bath instead of saltpetre [potassium nitrate] itscours.

5-175. SELINOUSIA

UNKNOWN

Selinusian earth does the same things [as those above].The best glitters extremely, is white and brittle, and

very quickly dissolved if it gets wet.

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5-176. KIMOLIA

SUGGESTED: Cimolite — soft hydrous Alumina Silicate

Some Cimolian earth is white, and some inclining to apurple with a certain fattiness to it, and somewhat

cold to the touch. This is considered the best. Both sorts(diluted with vinegar) dissolve inflammation of theparotid gland, and the second type dissolves lessertumours. They are good for burns, rubbed on by hand tokeep the affected parts from blistering. They suppresshardness from stones [urinary, kidney], andinflammation on any part of the body; furthermore theywithstand erysipela [streptococcal skin infection], and inbrief the genuine are of much use if the bastard ones arenot taken.

5-177. PNIGITIS

UNKNOWN

Pnigitis earth in a way resembles Eretrian earth [5-171] in colour. It is thickly crusted, cooling if touched by

the hands, and adheres to the tongue very much so that it hangs on it. It has the same properties as fuller's earth[ammonium silicate] except for its strength. Some sell this as Eretrian earth.

5-178. OSTRAKA

Clay Tiles

The tiles in furnaces that are very burnt are crust-forming: as a result (rubbed on with vinegar) they

heal itching and pustules breaking out, and are good forgout. Used with wax ointments they dissolve scrofuloustumours [glandular swelling] and goitres.

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5-179. GE KAMINON

Burnt Red Earth

Well-burnt red earth from furnaces has the samequalities as the tiles [above].

5-180. GE MELIA

Earth from Melia

Melia is coloured like Eretrian earth (which is an ashy colour) but it is rough, and rubbed with the fingers

it makes a creaking noise like pumice stone that is beinggrated. It is like allom [5-123] in quality but somewhatmore weak, which is also shown by the taste. It dries thetongue gently. It is able to make the body clean and agood colour, thins hair, and wears off alphos[non-contagious leprosy] and psoriasis. It is useful forpainters to make their colours more permanent, and it ishelpful in green [herbal] plasters. Earth of any typeshould be chosen which is without stones, new, soft,brittle, and easily dissolved when it touches moisture.

5-181. GE AMPELITIS

SUGGESTED: Ampelite — Bituminous Earth

Amphelitis earth (also called pharmacitis) is found inSeleucia near Syria. The black should be chosen. It is

like small coals from a pitch tree, adhering like a lath [?]and glistening the same. Furthermore, it is melted slowlyif a little oil is poured on it while it is pounded into smallpieces. That which is white, ashy and unmeltable isconsidered worthless. It dissolves and cools. It is used tomake eyelids beautiful, for dyeing hair, and for rubbingthe vines at the time of their sprouting, for it kills wormsthat breed in them.

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5-182. ASBOLE

Soot from glass-making

Fuligio pictoria [soot] that the painters use is taken fromthe glassmakers, as that is the best. It is putrifying and

sharp, and with a waxy ointment of rosaceum [1-53] itheals fractures.

5-183. MELAN

Black Ink

The ink with which we write is prepared from the sootgathered from torches, and to each ounce of gum is

mixed three ounces of soot. It is also made from the sootof rosin, and the previously mentioned soot pictoria. Mixone pound of soot pictoria, half a pound of gum, half anounce of bulls’ glue, and half an ounce of chalcanthum[blue vitriol or copper sulphate]. It is good included inantiseptic medicines; and for burns it is rubbed on thickly with water and left alone until it forms new skins, for itfalls off of its own accord when the sores have healed.

And so, most loving Areius, to have stored up wellnear as much as we thought suitable and to be of a

large composition additionally and of information ofmatters medicinal and their uses, let this suffice.

AN END OF THE FIFTH AND LAST BOOK OF MEDICINAL MATERIALS.

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De_materia_medica

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